Flying lines

[Steve Dwyer]

Has anyone ever come up with a clever tool for coiling up their lines after flying, I want to retire my old J-Walker U reely?

Steve

[Fredvon4]

OK I will post the link for one of the threads that will contribute to the first mile.... grin

Started by John Tate about some China Made Ball bearing Kite reels

I got 4 of them cheaply, and did  a combination of all the good modifications

http://stunthanger.com/smf/open-forum/ball-bearing-line-reel-44864/

[Jim Roselle]

http://brodak.com/4-inch-plastic-reel.html

[Brett Buck]

http://brodak.com/4-inch-plastic-reel.html

     The simplest solution tends to be the best!

     Brett

[john e. holliday]

I know its out there.  Some one makes a crank for the little SIG type reels.  I made my own with a piece of dowel rod and strip of aluminum and a drawer knob pull. Will try to take a picture.


Well here are pictures of tool I made and have used for years.  Notice the knob that goes into the finger hole is long enough to use from either side of the reel.  I also don't use the slot for securing lines.   I put a bolt through a leg of the reel.   Then drill and elongate a hole to feed the end of the lines through to hook over the bolt.  Note also I don't use the line clip that comes with the reel.   I drill holes on the edge of the reel that I use a piece of wire looped through the end of the lines once reeled in and loop the wire through the holes.  Have never lost a set of lines with the clip coming off as I don't use it.  Hope the pictures are clear enough.

[Brett Buck]

I know its out there.  Some one makes a crank for the little SIG type reels.  I made my own with a piece of dowel rod and strip of aluminum and a drawer knob pull. Will try to take a picture.

   Can someone explain to me how you keep tension on the lines when you are reeling them up with a crank?  It seems like it needs 3 hands - one for the pivot, one for the crank, and a third to tension the lines as they go on the reel. I use the regular Pylon reels and put my thumb though the hold, and use my fingers on the same hand to apply the tension.

    Brett

[Randy Cuberly]

   Can someone explain to me how you keep tension on the lines when you are reeling them up with a crank?  It seems like it needs 3 hands - one for the pivot, one for the crank, and a third to tension the lines as they go on the reel. I use the regular Pylon reels and put my thumb though the hold, and use my fingers on the same hand to apply the tension.

    Brett

Tension?  What tension?  We don't need NO Stinking tension!   

Randy Cuberly

[FLOYD CARTER]

I notice most people unhook lines at the airplane, and drag the handle along the ground (pavement) while reeling-in.

I do the opposite.  Unhook the handle and reel in from that end.  The weight of the plane with lines attached provides plenty of "anchor" for keeping tension on the lines during the reel operation.

My favorite reel is home-brew.  A 12" circular ply with a dozen or so 1/4" dowels attached around the perimeter, at a slight angle (outward).  A central handle and a crank completes the device.  I can reel in lines almost as fast as I can walk!

[Fred Cronenwett]

I leave one connector on the model, one connector on the lines and never remove my handle from the lines that way when I hook the lines up to the airplane again I always get it right and never have to check or adjust neutral elevator.

I tried the crank, but just let one hand keep tension while I roll up the lines. Each airplane I fly has it's own set of lines and handle so I don't have to adjust neutral elevator when I get to the flying field.

Fred

[RknRusty]

   Can someone explain to me how you keep tension on the lines when you are reeling them up with a crank?...
    Brett

I notice most people unhook lines at the airplane, and drag the handle along the ground (pavement) while reeling-in.

I do the opposite.  Unhook the handle and reel in from that end.  The weight of the plane with lines attached provides plenty of "anchor" for keeping tension on the lines during the reel operation....

That's what I do and it works for me. I use the crank in Doc's post. It works on 4" reels too, just let the short stub lay against one of the spokes since it won't reach the finger hole.
Rusty

[john e. holliday]

When I get done and ready to reel in lines I leave up clip on the plane.   Anchor the lines by using allen driver to the ground if on grass or the pit box if on pavement.    If I roll up a set from airplane end and let handle drag on grass I straddle the lines and let them wrap around leg.  That was standard procedure in the combat days.  I also have a couple of reels that my winder won't work on.  I stick a screwdriver through the center hole and use the spoke for the finger to wind them up.

[FLOYD CARTER]

People have developed various "tricks" while winding up lines.  On each end of the oines, I leave the "up" clip open.

I have NEVER hooked up my lines backward.

[Randy Cuberly]

I do essentially what Doc said above and have done so since the early 1950's when taught to do so by the gentleman who essentially taught me to fly stunt, Bill Netzeband.  It works very well and in all those years I have never hooked lines up backwards or had trouble getting tension while rolling up lines.  C'mon folks this ain't Rocket Science!  I know because I'm a retired Rocket Scientist!!!   

Randy Cuberly

[Steve Helmick]

I use the smaller of the two common spools...can't say what brand, but they're blue, and I get 'em from Tom Morris. One finger on the left hand provides the pivot, and one finger on the right hand does the cranking.

My procedure is to take off the handle and wind toward the plane, which provides more than enough tension. And I leave one clip on the plane. Doesn't really matter which, and right now, I couldn't say if it's the "up" or "down", but it's usually the rear clip that's left on the leadout.

I can't leave one clip open, because they are self-closing "Derek Moran" style. Well, one is a custom Derek-type, while the other three are stock Sullivans of the same design. The oddball clip is left on the handle, as is one stock type clip. Haven't had the joy of hooking the lines up backwards yet.

There are three benefits of this system. 1) I can take the handle off and take less space in my tool box. Handle and two sets of lines go into a quart ziplock freezer bag. One of the sets of lines is backup, and is in another plastic bag. 2) I don't drag the handle across the pavement when spooling out the lines. 3) I can quickly wind up the lines to the airplane, in the pits, between rounds, without disconnecting them from the plane. Saves damage in the pits, where damage is most common. I rest my case. Do it your own way; I'll stick with mine.  Steve