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Speed,Combat,Scale,Racing => Carrier => Topic started by: Paul Smith on October 31, 2007, 05:01:16 PM

Title: J. Roberts Sturdi-Built Handle ruined by the hot sun !!!
Post by: Paul Smith on October 31, 2007, 05:01:16 PM

I left this handle in my car in the hot sun and melted it.

Up until now I wouldn't have belived this would happen, but it sure did.  Not in El Paso or Death Valley, but in Ontario or Pennsylvania this June.  These beauties cost $20 when I bought it and $60 now.

Title: I decidd to give it the Steve Austin treatment, after the flying season,,,,
Post by: Paul Smith on October 31, 2007, 05:09:09 PM

You know, "we can rebuild it, better, faster, stronger".


It was a straightforward process of replacing the plastic faces with 1/4" aircraft plywood.  Also, a 5/16" plywood spacer in between.  The spacer was made of 1/4" laminated to 1/16" ply.  It was process of Dremel work to fit the steel "movement" into the new wood case.

While I at it, I enlarged the hand grip to get all four fingers comfortably into the handle for high speed and aerobatic flight.

Trick or treat !!  Flight test to follow.

Title: Re: J. Roberts Sturdi-Built Handle ruined by the hot sun !!!
Post by: Lee Thiel on October 31, 2007, 05:14:27 PM

Between reading your post and checkin' out Ebay, then getting back here, you fixed your problem.  Anyway, here is one on da bay now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/J-Roberts-3-Line-Control-Line-Airplane-Flying-Handle-1_W0QQitemZ160173535351QQihZ006QQcategoryZ34054QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Lee TGD

Title: Re: J. Roberts Sturdi-Built Handle ruined by the hot sun !!!
Post by: Paul Smith on October 31, 2007, 08:27:26 PM

Thanks, I'll take a poke at those, too.  However, I suspect they will be at-or-above list price before the gavel falls.  These units look a bit too good, I'm in the marker for fixer-uppers now.  I see a Dirtmobile engine on the auction block, no doubt it'll go high.

I test flew the finished product today.  Very good.  I really like the full grip feel.

Title: Re: J. Roberts Sturdi-Built Handle ruined by the hot sun !!!
Post by: john e. holliday on November 01, 2007, 09:40:07 AM

All the years of leaving handles in the car I have never had one do that.  Even in the high temps of Texas and Kansas.  I like your fix.  Have fun, DOC Holliday

Title: Re: J. Roberts Sturdi-Built Handle ruined by the hot sun !!!
Post by: Paul Smith on November 01, 2007, 03:17:11 PM

I agree.  I never thought anything of it. 

But it happened, and north of the Mason and Dixon Line at that.

Title: Re: J. Roberts Sturdi-Built Handle ruined by the hot sun !!!
Post by: Paul Smith on November 04, 2007, 07:24:34 AM

Quote from: ama21835 on October 31, 2007, 08:27:26 PM

Thanks, I'll take a poke at those, too.  However, I suspect they will be at-or-above list price before the gavel falls.  These units look a bit too good, I'm in the marker for fixer-uppers now.  I see a Dirtmobile engine on the auction block, no doubt it'll go high.

I test flew the finished product today.  Very good.  I really like the full grip feel.

I stand corrected on the current list price. 
It's $54.99, which, including tax and/or shipping, would be close to the 60 bucks I stated.

Those Ebay units are on track to go OVER LIST.

-----------------------
I wallpapered mine with some computer output and urethane varnish.  Completed pitchers when the weather gets worse.

Title: Re: J. Roberts Sturdi-Built Handle ruined by the hot sun !!!
Post by: don Burke on November 04, 2007, 09:10:12 PM

First two went for $67 & $66.  Guess the buyers don't know about mail order!

Title: Re: J. Roberts Sturdi-Built Handle ruined by the hot sun !!!
Post by: john e. holliday on November 05, 2007, 06:09:53 PM

Just checked the Brodak Catalog.  There are three handles for throttle control.  Yellow, Blue and Red.  Price listed is $54.99 plus shipping.  And I thought they were high when I paid $10.00 for a brand new one many years ago.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday

Title: Re: J. Roberts Sturdi-Built Handle ruined by the hot sun !!!
Post by: don Burke on November 06, 2007, 06:25:10 PM

I bought my first house for $18000, can't even buy enough dirt to build one on now for that!  That's progress, I guess.

I also bought Ringmaster kits for $3.50, now they'er around $50.