Re the concerns about the security of the line clips due to compression of the plywood cores in Brent's handles.
After stealing the hard point concept from P.W. during the WCs in Shanghai in 1994 I pondered a way to match the hard point concept with at least a modicum of the convenience of previous handle "staples" such as the EZ-Just/EZ-Just HotRock and the various versions of Bob Baron's adjustable cable handle, all of which were ubiquitous among top fliers since at least the 1950s. The "Fancher Handle" (which I originally marketed as the "Precision Pro") was the result; a handle which copied the "perfect in all respects except prone to cable failures" EZ-Justs and the measurably improved precision control-ability provided by the hard point line attachment.
The steel "line clips" (actually brass in my two or three "original" ones) were designed to provide the adjustability missing from Paul's handle and some time was spent coming up with a means whereby the adjustability could be safely reproduced using tools in "Ted's shop", i.e. jig saws, a drill press and files! The final product of that "research" was the three piece 1/16" slotted core sandwiched between the the two 1/8" ply doublers of the slotted core through which two 4-40 bolts at each clip pass and screw into blind nuts on the "female" side.
Concerns over possible "slippage" of the line clips in the core sandwich under load resulted in the unique "multi-bubble" shape of the cutout in the steel line clip, what I termed a "caterpillar" slot. Combined with a "light friction" insertion of the clips into the core before engaging the bolts these caterpillar shaped slots provided for, when under compression from the "two" bolts spaced to envelope some amount of two different caterpillar bulges of each clip would not only "squeeze" the entire clip but also "draw" a slight but real amount of the 1/8" doublers into the caterpillar slots forming not only a frictional but also a materials interference between the handle and the clips to which the line tension is applied. This interface over numerous thousands of flight by probably several hundred users around the world has, to my knowledge, resulted in zero instances of inflight slippage let alone failure.
Concern about matching the clips' thickness to the cores was the subject of lengthy discussions between Brent and myself as he searched assiduously until he found a resource for steel and laser cutting for components that met those requirements.
For those asking the "begged" question; you don't need to hire a gorilla to tighten the bolts sufficiently to do the job as the "dual form" resistance to slippage doesn't require massive torque to engage. Screw the screws in until they have obviously reached the point at which compression will begin. Another half to 3/4 turn should do the trick. BE SURE TO COMPRESS ALL FOUR SCREWS (THE USE OF TWO ON EACH CLIP WAS INTENTIONAL TO ACT AS BACK UPS TO ONE ANOTHER) AND PULL TEST YOUR HANDLE AND LINES PRIOR TO FLIGHT.
Finally, as some above have mentioned, over time the clips will become more difficult to adjust as a result of this compression and may require application of some force to adjust (you do own pliers, right?). I have personally never encountered an inability to overcome that friction nor heard of someone doing so...which, of course, doesn't mean it might not have happened. I believe this is a modest price to pay for a great performing handle that allows fine tuning adjustments to neutral setting, overhang and sensitivity while providing enhanced response via the hard point attachment to your stunt ship that results.
Merry Christmas to all.
Ted
Topic: Fancher Handle Kits are back in production - "Precision Pro" Laser Cut (Read 4242 times)