19 Strand verses 7 strand .015 control line

[TroyMartin]

Just wondered what the pros and cons are comparing 19 strand verses 7 strand flying lines ??

[Walter Hicks]

I use the 19 strand because it is more flexible but it is easier to kink. 

[Joe Yau]

Last time I used the 19 strand .018, it feels a bit spongy at the handle vs 7 strand ones.  but it's more flexible.

[RandySmith]

The 7 strand is better , tougher, and I have had, and seen, much more  19 strand  start  to break, normally at the termination , on the outside strands

Randy

[Lauri Malila]

When measured, the elasticity of 19 strand cable is about same or slightly less than with 7 strand line. The springy feeling comes from increase air drag and in small part, weight. L

[Keith Renecle]

When measured, the elasticity of 19 strand cable is about same or slightly less than with 7 strand line. The springy feeling comes from increase air drag and in small part, weight. L

That's interesting Lauri. I had a roll of the 19 strand line from Tom Morris and it really is smooth and I found that on a lightweight .40 size model it was fine. Lightweight being around 1200 grams (42.3 oz.) I tried a heavier model of 1450 grams and it felt springy while on 7 strand MBS line it felt better. I also noticed something strange when I set the speed too fast even on the lighter model, and that was a "sort-of" flutter on the lines as the model went into some wind. I'm curious to know why the smoother line has more drag??

Keith R

[Air Ministry .]

Be intresting to evaluate strech on Ea adter say 50 flights , AND
having run a rag down Ea. Line - free to rotate ( The Two Lines held in the ' volonteers two palms by his thumbs ,
repeated untill the rotateings done  . I know this near halves the Sig .015's   s  t  r  e  t  c  h by near half per Wt .
So sharpes up the Avg. 40 profile no end . as I may have said before , once or twice .

Technically youd think thered be more weight of wire in the 19 strand , and less twist . perhaps .
Anyone WEIGHED the same lengths of both ??

Risk of repeating myself , the 70's Kiwi stunt " 14 inch line reel " was regarded as
giving less curl to the wires , and rolled out / reeled in fairly smartly .
Quick walking pace even .

 

[Paul Smith]

19-strand consists of three layers:

One core strand - true length.
Six inner wrapping strands - longer.
Twelve outer wrapping strands - longest.

It would take a considerable preload to take up the slack, which is to say, get the wrapping strands tight-wrapped.  Then if the lines are allowed to go slack you would need to take up the slack again.

In a near-death incident, it's possible to break or stretch the center strand and maybe even the six inner wraps, before even giving the outer 12 a hard workout.  That might save a model while buggering-up the lines.

[Dennis Moritz]

Howard comparison stretched them at one time. I think he determined no diff. I've had nineteenth strand last for years. Steady flying. Careful cleaning and storing helps. Kinks seem to happen when lines get rolled twisted. Forgetting to unroll the loops. Practicing reverse wing overs one after another, not so good. I did 20 in a row once. Junked the lines. Bad kinks.


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[john e. holliday]

How can a series of reverse wingovers destroy a set of lines?   I remember at a stunt clinic that during practice do at least two RW's to warm up.  I would think square 8's would be harder on lines.  My opinion.

[Chris McMillin]

Probably only did the outside part 20 times which would be 20 outside loops to the lines.
Chris...

[Steve Helmick]

I've used 19 strand and liked the squeezable softness and all, but it makes sense that the smaller wire (strand) size would have to be more delicate and more easily damaged. Ever drag your lines across asphalt or concrete, even just a little, by accident? I think most everybody around here has tried them, but changed back to 7 strand. Last I ordered some Tom Morris lines, he seemed shocked that I specifically asked for 7's, but he came through. Then I had to email him and ask for an invoice, because one wasn't included.  Steve

[Dennis Moritz]

The reverse wing over twists the lines like an outside. If you do them one after another.


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[john e. holliday]

How come insides don't do the same?   My grand daughter kept doing insides once she did her first inside loops to where she could hardly hold level flight.  Took a while to untwist the lines and we are still using them.

[Dennis Moritz]

Why? Barometric pressure. Fluxum was high that day. They kinked.


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[Paul Smith]

Why would continuous reverse wingovers be any different from continuous lazy eights? 
Seems like just bigger to me.

Up, down, down, up, up, down, down, up, up,,,,,,

[Dennis Moritz]

They make reverse loops. Try it. Do 20 in a row. I'm just reporting what happened. The overlapping twists looked like a spring when unwound. Of course we can continue this discussion.   

[Brett Buck]

Just wondered what the pros and cons are comparing 19 strand verses 7 strand flying lines ??

   The 19 strand appear to be very fragile, with loops pulling out of the twist after a while. I haven't seen one fail completely, but most people run them for a few flying sessions, find a loop has pulled out, and then go back to 7-strand.

      Brett

[eric rule]

I agree with Randy and Brett and have also observed similar things.

In my opinion 19 strand wire is a bit like solid wire. OK if you really take care of it and constantly check it for deterioration. For the average guy 7 strands seems to be a better fit.

Regards
Eric Rule

[Ken Culbertson]

Howard comparison stretched them at one time. I think he determined no diff. I've had nineteenth strand last for years. Steady flying. Careful cleaning and storing helps. Kinks seem to happen when lines get rolled twisted. Forgetting to unroll the loops. Practicing reverse wing overs one after another, not so good. I did 20 in a row once. Junked the lines. Bad kinks.


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Sorry this is an old thread but I had to LOL when I read Dennis's post as I was researching 19 strand lines.  Back in 2019 I was just getting back in form except for the RWO.  It had plagued me since I started back and it may be the most important maneuver in the pattern so one day our little flying group decided to "fix" my RWO.  I had my trusty electric Fancherized Twister that day which was more than capable of a 40 point RWO given a pilot that could do one.  So I took off and listened as the three of them told me what to try and how I was doing.  After about 5 I figured out where my problem was and fixed it,  did a couple of good ones then they started getting worse and worse.  I voiced my frustration and noticed all three of them on the sideline laughing.  Motor quit and it was all I could do to lane the plane the lines were so twisted.

Ken

[John Lindberg]

   The 19 strand appear to be very fragile, with loops pulling out of the twist after a while. I haven't seen one fail completely, but most people run them for a few flying sessions, find a loop has pulled out, and then go back to 7-strand.

      Brett

I have had this happen; it's messy! I bought some .018 cable (line) from MBS, does anyone know if what he sells is 19 strand, or 7 strand? 

[Dan McEntee]

I have had this happen; it's messy! I bought some .018 cable (line) from MBS, does anyone know if what he sells is 19 strand, or 7 strand?

   Go to his web site and look at the description for the product. It will say what it is. I don't know for sure if he sells 19 strand or not.
 
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Crist Rigotti]

all the stuff I got from MBS was 7 strand.

[Brett Buck]

I have used the MBS line for about 20+ years, all I have ever seen is 7-strand.

    Brett

[John Lindberg]

I have had this happen; it's messy! I bought some .018 cable (line) from MBS, does anyone know if what he sells is 19 strand, or 7 strand?

I checked the MBS site; he does not say whether what he sells is 19 or 7 strand cable.

[Peter in Fairfax, VA]

John,

I just bought 1000' of .015 from MBS, so if you'd like to try some, see you at the field.

Peter