I'm getting ready to hinge my Buc 746 foam wing and before I do thought I'd ask about the Great Planes hinges. I was planning on using them but wanted to check first unlike when I used the adhesive when I attached the wing skins. The GP to the left and regular DuBro to the right, the GP seem more heavy duty. The flaps are 5/16".

I used them on both the flaps and elevator. Epoxied in place. I haven't had any problems.

Like Randy, I would prefer to use the old Klett hinges, but you can't use what you can't get.  I have started using the GP hinges and have had no problems.  I use epoxy or "hinge glue" to put them in.  I have found just a very few to be a too stiff for my liking.  I tossed those.

Bill Hodges

For the past several stunters I've used the Sigg "X" hinges.  They free up nicely with a little bit of #11 work and are very substantial.
Will

I use the GP hinges as well... but I toss a few in the bin out of every pack.

Randy, with these I don't see flash (oh, there is flash, I mean that just isn't the problem that makes them bind most of the time) as much as the pins are sometimes bent at a mid point, or sometimes a bulbous round enlarged area is in the middle of the hinge seam. It's smooth, but enlarged in that area.  

Not sure of the why/how in the manufacturing process, but bottom line is if you buy the large pack of them, chucking a few isn't a big deal. Price of doing business as they say...

EricV

>>I have found just a very few to be a too stiff for my liking.<<

Like any injection molded part, they can get flashing in the gaps. A little work with a #11 usually cleans them up. I've had one or two with bent pins or similar problems that had to be tossed, but overall, no worries.

In my limited experience, I don't remember ever having a nylon pinned hinge fail in flight.

Think I've always used the DuBro brand, and like the fact that it's almost impossible to install them backwards! 

Kidding aside, having two barrel sections on each hinge piece may, or may not, provide a small safety margin.

Bill

Hi Will,

I use the same ones; they are the Sig giant scale hinges and come with the two halves not assembled with the pin.  I clean up the holes with the drill bit the size of the pin to make sure that the hinges are absolutely free then assemble them with the pin.  Since my airplanes typically get around 2,000 flights I have never had a problem with the hinges using the giant scale units from Sig.

Hi Bill,
I love the way they "flop" when I hold them verticle and move them back and forth - total freedom!!  The heavier of the two surfaces, whether flaps or elevators drop down when the ship is setting still, that's super.
Will

I havent seen the GP hinges, 20 years ago we used large hinges from Circus Circus.

I use Dubro hinges. ALWAYS double up the hinges on the tip of the outboard flap.

Clint,

Sorry you had problems. I've had a few I had to pitch, but overall they've been fine.

I miss Klett.