Author Topic: Exponential Handle - possible production run (Read 4213 times)

Larry Renger · « **on:** October 26, 2016, 06:50:09 PM »

It seems that I may be able to produce kits of the low overhang Exponential handle for about $25. The major expense is those pesky aluminum links. I am getting quotes on about 25 sets and they seem to be coming OK.

But, is there any interest out there? If 10 guys are interested now, I would be ready to throw the dice to spend the bucks for a short production run. I am estimating that I could break even on a 25 unit run.

Hand making a pair of the links takes me 2 hours. Clearly not practical even if I were willing to spend the time. I am only willing to make them for ME at that rate! But, it is the only handle I like to fly now. In fact, I crashed the last plane I flew using a standard handle because it didn't respond as well as I have been accustomed to!

Ray Firkins and Jim Hoffman have flown with my Expo handles and liked them. Perhaps they will toss in their 2 cents here.

Mark Mc · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2016, 07:05:52 PM »

I don't really care for fancy commercial handles, but I'd put $25 down on one.

Mark McRiley

Tim Redelman · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2016, 01:21:52 PM »

I'm in.

Tim

david beazley · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2016, 05:05:32 PM »

Count me in.

Motorman · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2016, 08:26:36 PM »

What is an exponential handle and how would you use one?

Thanks,
MM

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2016, 09:12:57 PM »

Quote from: Motorman on October 27, 2016, 08:26:36 PM

What is an exponential handle and how would you use one?

Thanks,
MM

Put that question into the search function of this site and read all about it.
Your welcome,
Dan McEntee

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2016, 09:35:47 PM »

Howard showed me the one he has. It appeared to both of us that at full down elevator, the aluminum dingus on the south end would cut into my pinky finger. He came to the same conclusion with his pinky finger. With your attachment, it doesn't look like that's possible. I'm thinkin' that he assembled it wrong or something?

Steve

Larry Renger · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2016, 10:11:39 PM »

I have revised the geometry to fix that problem. I have rather small hands, so I never noticed it.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2016, 02:01:27 PM »

Happiness!

I have everything needed to ship kits for the handle. The kits will be $20 plus shipping.

PM me with your orders. I need an address!

I prefer Paypal, but if you want to pay by check, that is OK, but will slow things down.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2016, 02:08:02 PM »

PayPal address so the old DOC can try one.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #10 on:** December 14, 2016, 02:30:33 PM »

Paypal to larry_renger@earthlink.net

Shipping looks to run about $3 domestically. $10 to Canada. If you want to get a precise number, my Zip code is 92688 and you can calculate it on the USPS website.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2016, 05:34:37 PM »

dbaclassix and Frank Williams, your kits are packed, but where to send them? Money is nice, but an address will help keep me honest!

Update!! I found the addresses on Paypal - good service, that! Yours are out the door tomorrow too!

Ray, Doc and Gordon - packed and will ship out tomorrow.

Gerald Arana · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2016, 05:46:02 PM »

Quote from: Larry Renger on December 14, 2016, 02:30:33 PM

Paypal to larry_renger@earthlink.net

Shipping looks to run about $3 domestically. $10 to Canada. If you want to get a precise number, my Zip code is 92688 and you can calculate it on the USPS website.

Hi Larry, I'll try one. I'll send you the payment now.

Thank you, Jerry

Larry Renger · « **Reply #13 on:** December 14, 2016, 07:19:40 PM »

By the way, here are the instructions.

For those of you who would just like a set of the metal links, I can sell them for $10 plus shipping, which should be about another buck.

I have posted drawings of the wood parts, and you can cut out whatever shape suits your fancy, perhaps a super zoot EZ Just shape (hint, hint to one who likes them).

OOG! The resolution on the web version is really ratty. The instructions in the kits are very clean and clear. You have to buy it to know what it says (sounds like the spiel for a particular medical program? But don't get me started!)

Larry Renger · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2016, 08:15:55 PM »

Guys, I need your address! My Ouigi board is unreliable!

Larry Renger · « **Reply #15 on:** December 15, 2016, 06:59:29 AM »

I can't believe it, the first run of kits sold out in 1 day!

I should have parts for the remaining 15 kits in about 2 weeks.

I only got parts for 25 sets, thinking that would last a lifetime.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2016, 09:56:28 AM »

Depends on how well we like the handle. If I wasn't such a cheap skate I would have had a Fancher handle on all my planes. Now will see if this handle replaces it.

Doug Moisuk · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2016, 12:32:04 PM »

I would like to know what this handle look like.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2016, 12:52:18 PM »

A finished handle is on the instruction sheet attached to one of the entries above, but here it is again.

The first 10 kits are in the mail!

Larry Renger · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2016, 05:23:31 PM »

Awright youse guys! Build them handles and let us know what you think! If they suck or need a tweak, it would be beneficial to all know it. My skin is thick, and can take criticism. (Whimper)

If I run out of the current supply of current hardware, as seems likely, the next batch should benefit from a massive batch of use data for any improvements. This is a new wave of technology and lags 75 years behind what went before. May need a bit of work to be optimized, do you think?

Please input your experiences and ideas.

Oh, the next batch is 15 kits, if there is more interest, it takes a couple of months to get the metal parts fabricated. The bigger the order the cheaper the parts. I would be grateful for some idea of the level of interest!

We can certainly take our time to see how pilots like the first batch before doing tweaks and more production. For example, it is easy to do more than one range of line spacings. I have three differnt sizes drawn, and thanks to the wonders of laser cutting, can provide any of them as desired.

Actually, it should be reasonable to offer replacement larger or smaller wood parts as a separate kits if such is desired.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #20 on:** December 16, 2016, 01:15:29 PM »

I'm not in the market. The reason is that the handle part doesn't "capture" the hand snuggly like a TED handle does. Some of us think that's important, anyway.

Regarding the pivots on the levers, I am guessing that the levers sit on the threads of the screws? A sneaky way to make a big improvement there is to tap the holes for the screw size. A conventional tap would work, but a "roll tap" would work harden the material and in theory should improve lifespan. The hole sizes required are different, so unless you do the tapping or outsource the process, it's not practical to use a roll tap. I do love 'em so...but a lot of machinists have never used them, so disregard what they say!

Steve

Larry Renger · « **Reply #21 on:** December 16, 2016, 01:33:45 PM »

It would be easy enough to add the "cuddle factor" to the handle, just have a slot for the link in the upper and lower wood arms. I guess I need to get a profile of the EZ-just and draw it up. Anyone with a jig-saw and drill can make the wood parts easily. I will happily sell just the links if anyone is interested. I have 15 sets of them in stock right now.

It just occured to me, am I stepping on anyone's toes or violating any forum rules selling these handles? Let me know and I'll make it right.

Also, I really don't want to be in business and will happily turn it over to whomever wants to follow up. No payment to me, just make it available to the modelling public at a reasonable price. I can turn over my sources, drawings etc.

Also, good news, the next batch of parts will be available sometime next week.

and I am keeping two kits for myself! n1t

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #22 on:** December 16, 2016, 05:56:03 PM »

You should consult with Mr. Trump about this potential gold mine. He may want to invest in your company. For sure, don't forget to keep the IRS apprised of your profits.

Steve

Larry Renger · « **Reply #23 on:** December 16, 2016, 08:46:13 PM »

Nope, Mr Trump needs to divest himself of conflicts of interest, and if he invested in this, he could not purchase them to defend the country from foreign stunt flyers.

A tragic outcome. No, some other patriot needs to step up and shoulder the burden.

Seriously, if I had some idea of the potential market, the price could come down. The links are the most expensive parts to obtain, and are probably very sensitive to cost vs volume. In huge quantities, probably 10% of what I have to pay. I think the other parts are what they are and not sensitive to any sane amount of volume.

I am not dependent on this to put crumbs on the table or even feed the cat that visits now and then. (Salmon ain't cheap).

Still, I can sell this puppy for a price that seems to be acceptable and cover all the costs.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #24 on:** December 19, 2016, 10:25:22 PM »

Just opened the package. Have even read the instructions. Now for warm weather when I get it finished. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Also you left out an L in my name. I'm from the weird Holliday's.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #25 on:** December 19, 2016, 10:50:35 PM »

Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa! Sorry John, it won't happen again, Mr. Holiday.

Happy Holidays to all.

david beazley · « **Reply #26 on:** December 20, 2016, 02:08:08 PM »

Quote from: Larry Renger on December 15, 2016, 05:23:31 PM

Awright youse guys! Build them handles and let us know what you think! If they suck or need a tweak, it would be beneficial to all know it. My skin is thick, and can take criticism. (Whimper)

Larry, Thanks for the prompt service! I just put mine together today. A couple observations, I made a couple of brass inserts for the screws and inset them into the handle. I was a little leery about screwing the 5-40 FHMS into the wood. The screws could be a little bit longer, 5/8" or 1/2" would be nice.
Other than that I don't have any other feedback until I can try it out on the circle. Overall very pleased with the design and execution of the product.
Nice!

rustler · « **Reply #27 on:** December 20, 2016, 02:36:08 PM »

I was getting quite interested in this, but before I order can someone explain how the "exponential" bit works?

Larry Renger · « **Reply #28 on:** December 21, 2016, 09:15:05 AM »

It is covered in the instruction sheet posred above.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #29 on:** December 21, 2016, 09:49:20 AM »

Well I couldn't wait and glued mine together last night. Now to shape it and finish before spring now that winter is here..

rustler · « **Reply #30 on:** December 21, 2016, 03:07:46 PM »

Quote from: Larry Renger on December 21, 2016, 09:15:05 AM

It is covered in the instruction sheet posred above.

Hi Larry. Interesting. More to it than meets the eye. The greater you make the overhang the greater the differential effect. Against this, it seems one of the objectives is to achieve minimum overhang, but no doubt adequate differential is achieved.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #31 on:** December 21, 2016, 06:44:50 PM »

Yes, the differential is sufficient compared to a fixed handle that has reduced line spacing with deflection. It would be possible to go to extremes, if you take the basic concept and stretch the links out. I find the current design very comfortable to fly. I am eager to see how the other users think about it.

By the way, I got the parts I needed and have a new batch of handles ready to ship!