Author Topic: Double Star engines (Read 7537 times)

Gordon Tarbell · « **on:** February 25, 2007, 08:42:59 AM »

Is Tom Dixon still the go-to guy to puchase DoubleStar engines. If so it sure seems difficult to make a purchase if he doesn't answer the phone or do email. According to his web site He does business via Fax machine or snail mail. If this is the case I would like to spend elswhere as I do not have fax line in my house and snail mail is to slow to get info before purchase. (Double Star 40 classic lite) supposed to be direct swap(weight and size) for fox 35 but way more grunt. Any one made a purchase from him lately? What was you method of comunication?

Leester · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2007, 08:50:01 AM »

Gordon: You can try Virginia Hobbysport or Windy U they both carry them.

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #2 on:** February 25, 2007, 08:52:11 AM »

Tom usually does answer his phone. He does prefer the U.S. Mail and I have communicated and ordered through him that way. A letter will usually be deivered in 2 or three days. He responds immediately, that means you could have your DS 40 in about 5 days. A couple of years ago I sent three FP 40s to him on a Friday and my motors were back to me the following Wednesday. All using U.S. Mail.

He prefers the old ways; however, his service and products are quality.

Gordon Tarbell · « **Reply #3 on:** February 25, 2007, 09:00:29 AM »

I am old fashioned also, I like to talk to the guy I am sending my hard earned money to. I would rather do business with him since he is the one with answers when things aren't right with the engine or just need experienced advice with that particulat engine.

jim welch · « **Reply #4 on:** February 25, 2007, 10:44:14 AM »

I bought a ds40 light from tom and it's an excelent motor.I picked up the phone and ordered it with no problem on thursday and had it on tuesday throught the mail;Got it in my vector and it's really a sweet flyer. jim

Gordon Tarbell · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2007, 02:25:05 PM »

I will try to call , although on his web site it seems he isn't normally home to be able to. What is a good time to call him?

Jim Oliver · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2007, 03:48:04 PM »

In my experience, Tom has returned my calls within a couple of days; sometimes within hours.

I usually call during normal working hours and just leave a message.

Jim

Walter Hicks · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2007, 04:52:41 PM »

Tom Dixon provides excellent service you will hear from him promptly. Pay attention to what he says on how

to run his engines. They work very well if used as he says. They have specific applications and rpm range.

They are not PA or RO Jett engines. They are lower rpm engines and extremely reliable. Learn how to prop them and

what fuel to use. They do not like lots to Castor! The Double Star has different metallurgy and does not need

a lot of Castor. If you use them correctly you will find Tom gives excellent service and that you have very reliable

engine runs. They have there limitations. They may not be as powerful as some but if you put them in the

correct airplane they are very good. An example is a Double Star .60 in a KA -10 . 55 oz. and 640 sq inches.

Works great. A Double Star .60 in a 80 oz Patternmaster NO. One good example is Cleon Lingwood ,

Sacramento ,Ca with a Quasar I believe with a Double Star .60 Re . Great combo. He has that engine down pat.

Greg L Bahrman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2007, 05:37:40 PM »

I don't know about presently but for awhile Tom was working 2 jobs. He has always been prompt with my orders and has even aswered the phone when I needed some parts and advice. Service was good even though his time was limited. Very helpful

Bill Little · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2007, 05:46:05 PM »

The phone times with Tom are hit and miss. I have reached him during the day, in the evenings and at night. But I have always received a call back in short order, if I left a message.

Tom does know some "tricks" to use with the Double Stars. It seems that the engines were being built to FAI standards (read that no nitro fuel) for a while, regardless of what Tom was wanting. Don't know if that still holds true. The DS 40 was getting a rep for being "underpowered" at first, but when you do what's needed to use nitro fuel, they are just fine!

Tom loaned me a DS 50 (direct swap for a ST 46) at a contest and it was every bit the equal of the ST 46.

I added the # of head shims he suggested for 10% nitro (opened up the itsy bitsy teenie weenie venturi on my own!) to my DS 40(s) and they now are very good 40 size stunt engines. They are not, nor are they meant to be, the same as the Ro-Jett or PA 40s, but they are great for what they are inteded to be used for. Tom had the idea of a drop in replacement for a Fox 35, with those characteristrics but more power, and mine are.

Bill <><

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2007, 06:12:05 PM »

I was a bit puzzled by the long name. There appears (according to Tom Dixon's website) to be only one DS .40, the "Double Star .40 Classic". The same as one I flew some last summer. That is a stock one, and ran great. Started well, smooth, nice 4-2-4, but it put out about the same power as a McCoy 19. It didn't put out enough suds to fly my Tom Morris kit Profile Cavalier very well, at 35oz. I used Powermaster 10-22, T-Bolt 4S plug, and tried two props, 11-5 TF paddle blade, and 10.5 x 4.5 APC. Both props worked about the same...not at all. I have considered putting it on a Super Clown ARF that I picked up cheap, to test the two engines.

My other DS .40 is GMA reworked, and I'd like to try it this year, to see if it's that much better. It hasn't been run except for a short bench run by GMA. The compression was raised a bunch, which is out of character for George's reworks. The GMA venturi measures .310", and I have tried that in the stock engine, and have nothing good to report. This is not a total surprise, because the compression and venturi size need to be working together. With the big venturi and stock compression, it didn't pump enough. Needs both. I'm not impressed with the DS .40, but I do love my Double Star .60bb. It is an early one, with ABC instead of AAC. Personally, I'd suggest a B.40, unless you really like .19 sized airplanes with .015 lines. I really wish I could give a positive review of this engine, as it's a beauty, but it just doesn't make any power as it comes out of the box.

Steve

Bill Little · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2007, 07:35:58 PM »

Hi Steve,

That was the point I was making. Out of the box, it is woefully lacking. With the very simple mods, it is a whole 'nuther engine......... mine are at least the equivalent to the Brodak 40 (which I really like!). Both are stronger than my OS 35S ( I have about 8 of those,stock and reworked) which is another engine I love in that size range. I am using a 12-5 Rev Up that is made into a clone of the old Top Flite paddle blades at 10 1/2" and ~5 pitch w/Phillips entry. 10% Sig 22%, 1/2 and 1/2, ~.300 venturi, three "added" head shims, DS tongue muffler.

Now, if we compare any of them to the Aero Tiger 36, or even the Magnum 36 XLIIS, then there ain't no comparison!

Bill <><

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2007, 08:22:31 PM »

Hay, Bill...what I don't understand is that you reduced the compression and opened up the venturi. GMA increased the compression on my other DS .40, and he increased it as much as he could, without having to make a whole new head...and wanted to raise it more. Mine will barely run with stock compression and the big venturi. Next time I get a chance, I'll put the GMA head on the runner and see if it works or not. It's going to have to work a lot better, or I'll have to put it on a smaller plane.

Steve

Bill Little · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2007, 08:33:37 PM »

Quote from: Steve Helmick on February 25, 2007, 08:22:31 PM

Hay, Bill...what I don't understand is that you reduced the compression and opened up the venturi. GMA increased the compression on my other DS .40, and he increased it as much as he could, without having to make a whole new head...and wanted to raise it more. Mine will barely run with stock compression and the big venturi. Next time I get a chance, I'll put the GMA head on the runner and see if it works or not. It's going to have to work a lot better, or I'll have to put it on a smaller plane. Steve

Hi Steve,

Got me wondering here since mine seem to be early ones that were built for FAI fuel. Maybe they changed?? Compression is pretty high on mine. I haven't checked it with a gauge, but it isn't weak..........

Would like to know! First thing Tom told me was that the dude in the Ukraine set them up for 0% nitro, and if I wanted to run nitro I would have to use the shims. I dunno.......... Pretty sure both of mine are first run examples, that might be the difference??

Let me know how it all shakes down.

Bill <><

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2007, 10:19:23 PM »

Bill....my GMA reworked one is pretty early, if not the first batch, then not too far removed. I bought it from John Hall, who was our LHS, and got it from Brodak. The used one that I've been running, I got it from Terry Mitchell, who used to work PT at John's shop, then divorced and moved off to Montana. I suspect these two engines may have both come from John's shop and about the same batch, fairly early.

If you can ask Tom Dixon if there have been evolutionary changes, please post the answer, and what the changes were. Seems like more of a 'kit engine' than the OS .46LA-S!

Steve

Robertc · « **Reply #15 on:** February 26, 2007, 10:44:51 AM »

There is another DS 40, the new competition DS 40 Gold head. Dual BB and only about 7 oz. I've used one in an ARF Vector.
Very happy with it.
Attached is a picture of both the 54 and the 40.

jim welch · « **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2007, 11:34:42 AM »

The one that I have is the comp 40 gold head dual ball bearing, aac ringed 7 oz newer version.One head gasket,290 venturia,11.5 zinger thinned down,10% 50/50 castor/syn fuel,sig idle bar plug.It's on a vector and has too much umpth...had to go to 65 ft lines to slow it down some.The motor came with 2 plugs,head gaskets, and 5 venturias of all sizes.It does the 2/4 break like clock work and has definately spoiled me with the way I look at my other motors and how they run.I think it's the finest piece Iv'e owned in quite some time. Jim

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2007, 10:48:41 PM »

Thanks for the info on the new DS .40, Robert C. and Jim Welch. Is the bolt pattern and length the same? I doubt if I could be that lucky. I wonder why this new stuff isn't on Dixon's website? Must not like to sell too much stuff!

Steve

Robertc · « **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2007, 07:56:57 AM »

The bolt pattern on the new 40 and 54 are the same. I think they are the same as the DS 50, which I think is the same as a ST 46. Don't quote me on this though.

Bill Little · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2007, 08:02:18 AM »

Quote from: Steve Helmick on February 26, 2007, 10:48:41 PM

Thanks for the info on the new DS .40, Robert C. and Jim Welch. Is the bolt pattern and length the same? I doubt if I could be that lucky. I wonder why this new stuff isn't on Dixon's website? Must not like to sell too much stuff! Steve

Hi Steve,

I am not sure who Tom's WEbmaster is, or the set up he has. At least he HAS a web site!

Tom is not very *into* using the computer for communications.....................

Bill <><

Jim Morris · « **Reply #20 on:** February 27, 2007, 12:15:53 PM »

Send a fax, you will have a reply by the next day.

Author Topic: Double Star engines (Read 7537 times)

Walter Hicks