Hinges

[Ken Culbertson]

Are DuBro standard hinges safe to use on a full size PA.  I would have 5 hinges per flap.  I tried the .025 replacement wire on the 1" hinges I have and the slop was just too much.  On the DuBro std hinge it is just right but I worry about fatigue.  I don't put a gazillion flights on a plane like some.  I have never broken one on any plane so I need some feedback.

Thanks - Ken

[fred cesquim]

Are DuBro standard hinges safe to use on a full size PA.  I would have 5 hinges per flap.  I tried the .025 replacement wire on the 1" hinges I have and the slop was just too much.  On the DuBro std hinge it is just right but I worry about fatigue.  I don't put a gazillion flights on a plane like some.  I have never broken one on any plane so I need some feedback.

Thanks - Ken

yep! i have been using the medium size on these turbine jet models and 120 sized pattern RC planes for quite some time and never had any issues
ised the original pin as came from factory
go for it

[Jim Svitko]

Those DuBro hinges are pretty tough but I take no chances with control systems.  On larger planes, I use the DuBro quarter scale hinges.  Maybe that is overkill but I have seen hinges break.

The failures I have seen have been at the wingtip or even on the elevator.  The elevator hinge failure might have been due to vibration.  The stab tip on that particular plane was a blur when the engine was running.

Maybe going electric has advantages other than not messing with fuel, oil, fuel resistant finishes, etc.  It appears to be easier on the entire structure.

[john e. holliday]

Double the hinges at the end of the flap out at the wing tip.  Hinge failure at stab tells me the joiner betwen the elevators was not bushed rightt.

[bill bischoff]

I have modified the Dubro hinges for a continuous pin before. I drilled out the pin holes with a micro drill bit a few thousandths bigger than the diameter of hinge pin I wanted to use. Somewhat tedious, but it worked.

[Dave_Trible]

I’ve used these hinges for as long as I can remember on everything.  I have had two or three break but I learned why and quit making the mistake.  I have always joined all the flaps and elevators during construction before covering and finish.  I do this because I drill and pin the hinges in with toothpicks rather than gluing them in and risk getting glue in the hinge barrels and so I can finish over the pins.  Where the trouble came was I would later trim out dope build up in the hinge with the xacto and cut or score the hinge without realizing it.  Then after enough flights they broke where they were scored.  Now I am more careful about letting dope build up in the hinge and work much more carefully if/when I do take a knife to clean them out.  No problem since.

Dave

[Ken Culbertson]

I’ve used these hinges for as long as I can remember on everything.  I have had two or three break but I learned why and quit making the mistake.  I have always joined all the flaps and elevators during construction before covering and finish.  I do this because I drill and pin the hinges in with toothpicks rather than gluing them in and risk getting glue in the hinge barrels and so I can finish over the pins.  Where the trouble came was I would later trim out dope build up in the hinge with the xacto and cut or score the hinge without realizing it.  Then after enough flights they broke where they were scored.  Now I am more careful about letting dope build up in the hinge and work much more carefully if/when I do take a knife to clean them out.  No problem since.

Dave

Dave, thanks for the feedback.  I have used them the same way you do but it had always been on .35 size ships.  With the pins pulled and replaced by .025 wire they are delightfully free.  When I laid them next to the 13/16 ones that I was about to use they looked so tiny!   The .032 wires for them was just extra weight.

Ken