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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Steve Agrella on August 26, 2011, 10:21:36 AM

Title: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Steve Agrella on August 26, 2011, 10:21:36 AM
All of my handles are too big for my 7 year old Grandson, He manages it but would do so much better if he had a handle that fit him.

Anyone know where I can get a handle to fly a full size plane to fit a 7 year old.
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Tim Wescott on August 26, 2011, 10:35:38 AM
Both of my kids grew out of needing handles by about 4, although I could use a leash and a choke-chain for my 18 year old.

What size plane?  The old Cox style handle might be good for a 1/2-A plane.
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Steve Agrella on August 26, 2011, 10:42:20 AM
He's flying a Ringmaster and BrodaK P40, He's all set on the 1/2 A handles

Thanks
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Tim Wescott on August 26, 2011, 12:13:32 PM
And you said "full size plane".  D'oh.

No one else is jumping in here -- have you considered making a handle?  If you don't mind it being ugly, an afternoon spent with some plywood and epoxy will have you with a flyable handle of any size and style you want.  (Making it pretty takes longer).  Cable handles are easy, and you can get "handle weight" cable from a fishing supply place or your local bicycle shop.  Or, if you want to make a Fancher style or other hard point handle you can either make the metal horns yourself on a drill press, or you can get a kit and make your own frame.

Someone sells kits and handles, but when I tried searching, all I got was my own blathering about the subject of building from scratch.

EDIT:

Here's a page on making my take on a Fancher handle.  I can't say how good it is, except that it works fine for me:
http://www.ccwebster.net/robintim/fancher_handle/

And I'm attaching a pdf of a cable-style handle plan.  I got it here, but can't find the message -- so I'm posting it again.
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Steve Hines on August 26, 2011, 06:57:02 PM
Had the same problem, Samantha is 10 but real small. I got the small Kaz handle from Randy, but it is a little to big, but she is doing well with it. There is the RSM handle you build that is for 15 the spacing is a little close but you could make it bigger.

Steve
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Dennis Adamisin on August 26, 2011, 07:12:56 PM
How about taking a regular handle then putting sevaral wraps of friction tape at the top and bottom to choke it down to his hand size?
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: john e. holliday on August 27, 2011, 09:31:35 AM
My grandkids loved the F2D handle when they first started flying.   I weaned them off to using the E-Z Just style handle that Big Iron used to make.  If I ever get them back flying, it will be the hard point style handle.   H^^
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Larry Cunningham on August 27, 2011, 02:25:26 PM
The old small Hot Rock would likely be good, if you can find one. I think I've given mine away, sorry.

You don't want those wimpy, crappy 1/2A handles for a Ringmaster! ;->

Happy flying,

L.

"My grandfather invented Cliff's Notes. It all started back in 1912.. Well, to make a
long story short.." -Steven Wright
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Larry Renger on August 27, 2011, 06:07:33 PM
Check out rsmdistribution.com.  There is a smaller handle that is intended for 15 to 25 size planes, but with a bit heavier lead-wire, could work for you.  Even the 1/2A handle is plenty strong, if you substitute appropriate cable for the Spiderwire leads.
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Geoff Goodworth on August 27, 2011, 06:32:51 PM
I'd make something like Marvin's handle that Tim showed my drawing for but just make it solid and fit a 1/2 x 1/8 aluminium bar across the front, drill some holes in it and make hard point attachments with 4-40 eyebolts like the Tom Morris handles. If you need something like 4" line spacing, make something like this—
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Tim Wescott on August 27, 2011, 08:18:54 PM
I like that drawing -- it's in my files now.

My hands are four inches across, and I have big hands.  I think you could get much less than a four inch line spacing with that handle.
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Ward Van Duzer on August 28, 2011, 08:44:15 AM
If my wimpy memory serves me at all...Sullivan used to make (and may still make) a little yellow plastic and steel handle. I think the combat guys used to use them.

W.
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Tim Wescott on August 28, 2011, 11:38:49 AM
If my wimpy memory serves me at all...Sullivan used to make (and may still make) a little yellow plastic and steel handle. I think the combat guys used to use them.
That rang a bell:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFU24&P=7
Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Steve Agrella on August 29, 2011, 07:10:28 AM
Thanks for the replies everyone, I went to the Hobby shop yesterday for some 4-40 blind nuts, I found the perfect handle there it will fit him perfectly.

Title: Re: Handle for a 7 year old
Post by: Tim Wescott on August 29, 2011, 09:49:23 AM
WHAT?!?!?!?!?!

You have a local hobby shop that stocks control line stuff????

Wow.  Lucky you!