Older Robart Hinge Points - all plastic

[Ian Hewitt]

Hi Stunt Hangar,

I have discovered a stash of pretty old (30+ yrs?) Robart Hinge Points in my workshop. They are all plastic and 1/8" diameter - they feel good and free and I was tempted to try them in my Trophy Trainer having bought a Robart drill jig for the flap and elevator joiners (for which it is great). I notice that the current Robart hinges use steel pins - presumably for good reason..

I would be grateful for any advice on the virtues (or not) of using the older hinge points - must admit that I have now ordered some of the newer ones..  ..but have loads of the older type!

Thanks in advance

Ian
Nottingham, UK

[Ken Culbertson]

Hi Stunt Hangar,

I have discovered a stash of pretty old (30+ yrs?) Robart Hinge Points in my workshop. They are all plastic and 1/8" diameter - they feel good and free and I was tempted to try them in my Trophy Trainer having bought a Robart drill jig for the flap and elevator joiners (for which it is great). I notice that the current Robart hinges use steel pins - presumably for good reason..

I would be grateful for any advice on the virtues (or not) of using the older hinge points - must admit that I have now ordered some of the newer ones..  ..but have loads of the older type!

Thanks in advance

Ian
Nottingham, UK

If you are using pockets I would not hesitate to use them since replacing one would be simple.  Otherwise I am not so sure.  Is it a plastic pin or "snap on".  I don't remember ever seeing the full plastic ones and I use them on just about everything.

Ken

[Trostle]

The Robart hinges with the plastic pins can and will fail with surprising little stress.  My recommendation is to avoid the hinges with the plastic pins.  If you have a choice, avoid the plastic pins and use the Robart hinges with the metal pins.

Keith

[Ian Hewitt]

Many thanks for the clear replies.

It would be a shame and some considerable expense to lose a new model due to dodgy hinges.

They were part of a bundle of stuff that I acquired via EBay - this included some SIG 3" bellcranks in Mercury packaging - which must be well over 30 years ago..

I will not use the old hinges and wait on delivery of the newer steel pin versions.

I figured that this was the best place to find advice.

Thanks again

Ian

[Gerald Arana]

Many thanks for the clear replies.

It would be a shame and some considerable expense to lose a new model due to dodgy hinges.

They were part of a bundle of stuff that I acquired via EBay - this included some SIG 3" bellcranks in Mercury packaging - which must be well over 30 years ago..

I will not use the old hinges and wait on delivery of the newer steel pin versions.

I figured that this was the best place to find advice.

Thanks again

Ian

Ian; since you have "lots" of them, you could throw away the ones with the plastic pins and use the ones with a hole in them. Put a wire full length and they will be removal!

Good luck, Jerry

[wwwarbird]

It would be a shame and some considerable expense to lose a new model due to dodgy hinges.

 Donate them to your competition.