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Building Tips and technical articles. => ARF'S => Topic started by: Walter Hicks on May 20, 2018, 01:46:38 PM

Title: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on May 20, 2018, 01:46:38 PM
 Has anyone done business with this outfit from Japan.? It appears to be a 60 sized ARF Profile and possibly other CL ARF it is  from Japan
so I would need to get information translated . New plane is an ARF 60 sized  profile called Craft 2100
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Skip Chernoff on May 21, 2018, 06:09:21 AM
Any pics or info?
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Alexey Gorbunov on May 22, 2018, 01:18:02 PM
http://www.powers-international.com/aero/aero.htm
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on May 22, 2018, 06:38:09 PM
I have attempted to contact them via facebook messenger no answer? It is in Japanese so I am not sure they will respond ? I found an email for them and sent that today .
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on May 30, 2018, 02:04:38 AM
I got a response from them I had to email overseas@powers-international.com. Looks to be a .60 sized ARF  60" span .They say it is 31 oz airplane only :) I have one on order not cheap but appears to be a great looking 60 sized profile. 
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on June 06, 2018, 01:19:27 AM
 60 sized ARF  60" span  weight without motor etc  900 gram = 31oz.
I have one on order now.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: mike londke on August 06, 2018, 07:46:07 PM
Looks good but almost $300 if I used the right converter.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Mike Alimov on September 20, 2018, 11:14:23 AM
Any update on this, Walter? Did you receive it? Flown? Quality? First impressions?
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 23, 2018, 11:17:39 PM
It is late at night I will take more pictures and weigh items when it is light. Unsure regarding bell crank and lead outs , I may replace those.
Stab, Elevators and Flaps very straight and light. Covering is Perfect .... It comes with a CD with pictures of build, in Japanese of course.

Stab has covering already removed in center no need cut covering same with wing.



Stab /elevator straight and very rigid. covering is perfect.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Mike Alimov on September 24, 2018, 08:55:45 AM
Please continue your updates!  Very interesting. 
Another question: did it really take you 4 months since placing the order to receive one?  (Your last post on May 30 said you had one on order).  That's a mighty long lead time!
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 24, 2018, 10:23:53 AM
Yes it did I placed the order early to get the discount price. They said it would be shipped in Sept so I knew that.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Mike Alimov on September 26, 2018, 07:38:50 PM
Could you please report individual component weights
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 26, 2018, 11:10:33 PM
Weights as follows - NOTE all componets covered.

Wing with Bellcrank leadouts, leadout guide, tip weight box    = 11.4

Stab/Elevator                                                                      =  3.0

Flaps                                                                                  =   2.2

Fuse                                                                                   =  7.9

Rudder                                                                               =    .3

Canopy   (carbon fiber)                                                        =   .2

Landing gear 1/8 aluninum                                                   = 1.9

Hardware packet (wheels, motor mts , screws etc)                 = 2.9

TOTAL                                                                                 =29.8
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 26, 2018, 11:14:09 PM
Note this plane is an all inline profile with some very interesting control horn set ups not sure if I will do this per ARF set up or not.
Bellcrank in aluminum as are bolt on control horns , the wire joiners appear to be 1/8  or so. The front of the fuse also has foam in the center on some spots. Very Interesting and very, very good quality fits are perfect.

NOTE: Pictures taken from PDF Manual that was on a Cd provided with the plane not super clear hear is the one with the Flap horn configuration
flap pushrod  connects below and elevator pushrod connects above flap--
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 26, 2018, 11:59:20 PM
Wing comes in two pieces and is joined in a clever way with three 3/16 or so pieces of spruce and the fits are PERFECT!!!!!!!


Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 27, 2018, 12:04:14 AM
Motor mounts are only about  four inches long and shims are provided for different widths.-You glue them in at desired width for engine ,


Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 27, 2018, 12:08:38 AM
Canopy is carbon fiber , shown with hardware pack.


Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 27, 2018, 12:20:42 AM
Somewhat fuzzy but good picture of what the wing, stab/elevaor ,rudder and fuse look like, + contents of ARF

Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: john e. holliday on September 27, 2018, 09:43:38 AM
What was actual price?    It does look good compared to some I've seen H^^
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Mike Alimov on September 27, 2018, 12:37:42 PM
Thanks for the info so far. I assume that what you call an “ interesting” horn arrangement is due to the inline layout, and keeps the pushrod from running into flaps/stab.  Very reasonable solution, and I don’t see a reason to circumvent it.
On the other hand, the other design decisions that seem puzzling to me: 1) carbon canopy?! No strength is required here. A clear plastic ( tinted if desired) would’ve been cheaper and more attractive; 2) the fuselage joint is located at the rear of the wing; that’s where profile fuselages tend to fail during impact.  I would attempt to reinforce this joint as much as possible.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 27, 2018, 02:09:25 PM
As far as the Actual Price = You get what you pay for. This was made in Japan and is excellent in every way, wood selection craftmaship, design, covering , hardware. I paid 28,000 Yen + , yen shipping= $320.80  of which $75 was for shipping which I do not have a problem with given the quality of what I got. We do not have appearance points for profile so I do not have a profile finished yet and this one can be used as a test bed for motors as I will use a U shaped 1/8" Aircraft grade
aluminum motor mount that I can switch easily for each motor.

How many 60 sized profile arf weigh 28.9 oz without the motor :) Actual ARF price without shipping was $246 which is not much more than ones we get and an excellent product especially the weight.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 27, 2018, 02:25:47 PM
Mike , I do think that the Carbon Fiber canopy does have a function as the fuse is joined around that area and I believe that is there for strength.



NOTE that the fuse is joined together a couple of inches ahead of the leading edge of the  wing so the wing will provide strength and well as the carbon fiber canopy which I believe is for structure strength as well . I will go ahead and use the supplied control horns as shown.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Steve Berry on September 27, 2018, 02:51:34 PM
I'm very interested in how this does. If it flies like it looks, I may have a new "toy" for Christmas, or at least next February/March after income tax return. I have a ST G-51 that needs a good home.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Carl Cisneros on September 27, 2018, 08:45:54 PM
What engine are you going to initially use on it?

Thanks
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on September 28, 2018, 04:20:45 PM
Have not decided for sure I will use Gardner ABC ST .60 becuase it will go in a Classic plane at a later date and I want to see the run characteristics,
RO Jett 67 Se if it does not make it too nose heavy, I have a Staker 51 SE that is much lighter that the St or RO Jett if necessary . A lot will depend on how it balances and what weight the engine needs to be !!!! I have a Gardner ABC LA 46 that would probably haul it at the weight it will turn our at.
I also have Gardner ABC ST .46 that may work also.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: john e. holliday on September 28, 2018, 09:04:45 PM
Walter looks like you got a bargain.  I await flight reports. D>K
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: MikeyPratt on October 01, 2018, 08:51:20 AM
NOTE: Pictures taken from PDF Manual that was on a Cd provided with the plane not super clear hear is the one with the Flap horn configuration
flap pushrod  connects below and elevator pushrod connects above flap--
(http://i67.tinypic.com/rs7ivo.jpg)


(http://i65.tinypic.com/2hyx5z9.jpg)
[/quote]

Hi Walter,
That horn system will work just fine.  The original Force I used dual horns on the flaps and it worked just fine.  Later, I change to a single horn when the pushrod clearance turned out to be more than I needed.  I think I saw adjustable leadout guide but no tip weight box, please advise about your building and flying this model.

Later Buddy,
Mikey
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on October 01, 2018, 02:52:00 PM
Thanks Mike there is a tip weight box
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Steve Berry on December 07, 2018, 09:18:33 AM
Any flight reports, yet? Santa needs to know if he should stock these in his sleigh.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on February 11, 2020, 06:02:05 PM
Plane has been completed. 49-50 ounces with 1.75 oz of tip weight , Stalker 51 SE , it is about 680 square inches of wing area 60 " wing. It is all inline , stab, wing , and motor. Initial flight reports flies very well especially coming out of square corners. Very, Very good ARF. The Assembly went very easily, and everything fit perfectly including joining the wings . An incidence meter was used and showed everything 0-0 without any adjustments !!!!

I am using and 1/8" Aluminum U shaped removable motor mount that is attached to the engine bearers with 4-  4/40 bolts that go into brass inserts
that way I can use any motor I wish and change very easily. All my profiles use this method with 0 problems. I have used these for years , none have very come loose nor has the motor which is secured by tapping the 1/8 mount with 4/40 tap . I will try to post some pictures but am struggling as to how as photo bucket and tiny pic are no longer usable.This is hands down the best ARF I have ever seen. The fuse is super rigid, plane is. very light and rigid, covering is perfect from the factory. The control system as supplied works well.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Steve Berry on February 11, 2020, 06:43:17 PM
Alright! This is the kind of review I was hoping for. Now, to secure funding from She Who Holds the Purse.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on June 02, 2020, 09:13:01 PM
Finally a picture of the completed plane with OS SF S .46 SE 50 oz with tip weight.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Mike Alimov on June 05, 2020, 06:48:09 PM
Looks sharp! How did you get the OS SF-S tamed for a stunt run? I thought those had hopelessly high timing aimed at peak RPM around 15-16k?
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: John Paris on June 05, 2020, 07:27:17 PM
Mike,
I know that Big Art used to tune them.  I think that Todd Lee used them as well.  If it was Art's normal tune, the boost port was blocked and perhaps some timing changes on the ports and his angled head.  Would have to look at mine to be sure though.  Pretty good runs after he touched them.
John
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: peabody on June 05, 2020, 09:27:46 PM
I believe the SF has the same timing as the VF?...screw on a flat prop and go...
Hunt used them too, I believe
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Walter Hicks on June 06, 2020, 07:11:02 PM
My SF- S 46 was reworked by Marshall Palmer and Tom Muggleton It came from Marshall Palmer very smooth running engine . Very slight timing change

4.5+ pitch prop . SF-S was a Stunt Engine thats what the S meant I was told.
Title: Re: Craft 2100 ARF from Powers International ?
Post by: Brett Buck on June 14, 2020, 04:19:51 PM
Looks sharp! How did you get the OS SF-S tamed for a stunt run? I thought those had hopelessly high timing aimed at peak RPM around 15-16k?

     It's no wonder we have so many people struggling with engines, where does this stuff come from?

    We have had people run *many* of those with completely stock internals, and everything else with one exception. You do not need to carve it and the timing is not "hopelessly high". As I recall, it is the same as the best production stunt engine ever built by a major manufacturer,  the 40VF (144-145).   With the muffler, it will easily and happily turn 46VF props, with only a slight increase in pitch.

   The one exception is that they seemed to be a bit more powerful for the larger airplanes if you ream out the muffler exhaust stinger to 5/16". One thing to beware is the "right-angle" fitting fuel pickup, it can work as delivered but it notorious for leaking fuel from the fitting, through the case, and into the engine, bypassing the needle and any metering.

     Brett