Author Topic: let's see what we're using for handles (Read 7435 times)

frank carlisle · « **on:** March 31, 2006, 06:15:32 AM »

I've already gotten in a couple gallons of flights this year but for most of us the flying season is just about to begin in a few weeks.

I've been getting set up for a new season too. Right now I'm in the process of buying 9 cases of Cooper's Fuel, building a new field box and cutting lines and all that stuff. Today I'm going to resume the touchups on my new stunter.

Anyway........let's talk about and show what we're using for handles this year. I've always made my own. I tried out my new one yesterday. I really like the way it fits my hand and with 4" line spacing the plane responds nicely to my input.

I used 3/8" plywood and a Home Depot paint stick to make this one. While the materials aren't very exotic the thing doesn't look all that bad. I used a day glow orange thong so I should be able to find that puppy in the grass.

So how about you? What handle do you like best?

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2006, 06:37:29 AM »

Right now we are using the Tom Morris handles. We bought one and my dad is very handy with wood. He made two more just like it. I just had to order the bar for the front. I like the size, fits my hand well.

Paul

Zuriel Armstrong · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2006, 08:23:21 AM »

Bob Martens, Windy, Dick Byron, Fancher. I try all I have with each plane and find what feels right.

Leroy Heikes · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2006, 11:22:13 AM »

I use the old easy adjust handle, Two Tim Nickless custom made handles, Bill Young electronic handle. Scalemaster electronic handle, and Brodak Three Line handle. Most of my planes have throttle control after flying RC from 1986 to around 2001 I got used to being able to control the speed of my plane when I wanted to. Plus I like doing touch and goes, and Taxing.

Leroy

Dwayne · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2006, 12:07:07 PM »

I'm still using a original Ez-Just givin to me in 1985, and no it's not for sale...

Dwayne

Andrew Hathaway · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2006, 02:05:58 PM »

Do I have to choose just one? I have about 10 handles in my box and on a normal day of flying I typically use at least three of them. Starting at the top left and working to the bottom right...

Aldrich Magnum handle, modified with bicycle grip. Probably my first choice. Simple but effective, fairly tight line spacing. I usually only branch out from this one if the control system is too sensitive and I need tighter spacing.

EZ Just "Hot Rock". This one sets the standard. Really puts the nostalgia spin on a vintage design. Doesn't lend itself well to a safety thong.

Smith Hot Rock+. Does the same job as the previous two. A nice substitute but the line adjustment locking system tends to damage the cable.

Homebuilt Hot Rock. All the benefits of the above, but again the cable tends to be a problem.

I think this one is a Brodak. Not entirely sure. I've got a couple of them and they're well made. Nice adjustability. Not my first choice unless I need the narrower spacing.

RSM/Hobby Fasteners. Again nice adjustability, the grip it came with wasn't very comfortable so this one was cut from Maple.

Not sure exactly what to call this one. It's completely constructed of aluminum and steel, with a bondo grip to provide an ergonomic benefit. It's impossible to pick it up wrong, and its very unlikely to come apart under the heaviest loads. It tends to be heavy I've never gotten comfortable with the grip.

Last is the simple EZ Just. The spacing is way too far apart, but its the handle I learned on and it still gets used once in a great while, when sensitivity isn't an issue.

Bill Little · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2006, 08:47:17 PM »

Kaz, Dick Byron, Hunt, and Fancher for the "serious stuff".
Aldrich and EZ Just for others. Can't use the Hot Rock unless I feel like flying with two or three fingers.

Phil Coopy · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2006, 06:45:06 AM »

Modified Sullivan and an old Thimble Drome.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2006, 08:02:44 AM »

Well most handles have been mentioned here. The Aldrich handles retired as they were too thin. E-Z Just 4 & 5 inch retired as I have seen too many people holding just the cable after a good jerk on the lines. My favorite is one I got from Marvin Denny aka Bigiron years ago. Resembles E-Z Just Hot Rock 4 inch. The one I used at VSC this is Richard Byron's handle that tamed down the Dragon. The grandaughter likes the combat handle that is some kind of composite that is in flight adjustable. Will let you know later about the Fancher Handle as I just got the finish on it yesterday afternoon. Do have several others that I have picked up in the travels I have made. Also I still have the old fiber handle that used to come with some of the 1/2A kits of years ago. DOC Holliday

frank carlisle · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2006, 04:07:27 PM »

I just remembered I had this one.

Sullivan Insta-Just..................................................................

the original Steve Smith · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2006, 09:01:46 PM »

Woo hoo, here's my chance to show off!

I got a Sparky original - unique I think!

I love it, thanks again Sparky.

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2006, 09:29:07 PM »

My FAI speed mono line geared handle. Thinking about a mono line stunter do you think it would work?
Willis

Bill Little · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2006, 06:57:15 AM »

Quote from: Willis Swindell on April 03, 2006, 09:29:07 PM

My FAI speed mono line geared handle. Thinking about a mono line stunter do you think it would work?
Willis

Hi Willis,
Ask Billy Werwage about his, and Steve Wooley's, experiences with Dale Kirn's monoline stunter.

frank carlisle · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2006, 06:59:30 AM »

The third handle from the left on the bottom in A. Hathaway's picture is the wierdest looking handle here so far. Check out how it adjusts. It looks like a jaw bone.

I think the mono-line handle isn't fast enough for stunt.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2006, 07:14:37 AM »

I think Andrew H. got the idea or the handle from Jim Lee. You know Todd Lee's dad. He flies all his stunt ships with the one handle. DOC Holliday

Willis Swindell · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2006, 10:55:51 AM »

Hi Bill
I have talked to Dale Kirn about mono line stunt. I put a torque unit in a plane and he said it wouldn’t work that I needed the Stanzel stunt unit with a light worm gear not the brass one. I might drag the plane out one day and prove him right.
I installed a stunt unit in a combat plane called a super swoop in the 60’s and it was fast and stable until I tried my first loop. I never got it level again, I looked like I knew what I was doing for a while until the ground jumped up and got me, boy that thing would turn.
Willis

Andrew Hathaway · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2006, 11:41:59 AM »

Quote from: jeholliday on April 04, 2006, 07:14:37 AM

I think Andrew H. got the idea or the handle from Jim Lee. You know Todd Lee's dad. He flies all his stunt ships with the one handle. DOC Holliday

I would like to give proper credit but at the same time I couldn't tell you exactly who designed the handle. Jim Lee supplied the drawings and I built it from tempered aluminum, steel, music wire, all-thread, brass tubing, and silver solder. Lot's of metal work for a 15 year old kid. If I'm not mistaken I believe the plans for this handle were also published in Stunt News a long time ago, and also in the Topclass newsletter in the early 90's.

It has some distinct advantages, like the complete lack of a braided cable. There are virtually no wear parts. The line clips attach to the front bar directly similar to the Fancher handle, while the center pivot point and threaded adjuster at the bottom make it adjustable. It's also in-flight adjustable. It's nearly indestructible and I can't imagine how much pull it would take to tear it apart.

Jim Pollock · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2006, 11:26:21 AM »

Can't make much difference at this point but...... I use a Fancher handle.

Jim Pollock

frank carlisle · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2006, 05:47:58 PM »

I just got done making a new handle for my Pathfinder. I laminated a few pieces of 1/4 inch ply and stood them on end to create scales for it. I used short lengths of dowel rod for pins. I'm pretty happy with it.

It looks like most guys buy pre-fab handles. Is that because it isn't worth the time?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2006, 09:26:19 PM »

How about this? No one else likes it, but it fits my hand well

frank carlisle · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2006, 11:39:06 PM »

That's a nice carving job you did on that. I like it Randy. Is that Walnut?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2006, 10:17:42 AM »

Frank,

It's jacaranda. I have a pile of various exotic woods. Scraps mostly that I've accumulated from various projects and dunnage.

catdaddy · « **Reply #22 on:** April 14, 2006, 12:49:07 PM »

Quote from: Randy on April 13, 2006, 09:26:19 PM

How about this? No one else likes it, but it fits my hand well

I think it's cool looking. It looks like something a Klingon might use

Jim Pollock · « **Reply #23 on:** April 15, 2006, 08:45:54 AM »

Well,

How do you like my cute little flying piggy picture. I don't fly it - but I do
use a Fancher handle on my PA plane and right now am using a Brodak one
on my classic until I get a Fancher handle build and set up for that.

Jim Pollock

Wish I could figure out what's hapening when I try to use one of the smiley faces?
All I need is the face - not the text associated with it, but I have no idea why and how
that is happening...

Randy Powell · « **Reply #24 on:** April 15, 2006, 10:10:49 AM »

>>I think it's cool looking. It looks like something a Klingon might use<<

"It is a good day to fly"

Mo Christensen · « **Reply #25 on:** April 15, 2006, 10:14:09 AM »

I'm sure that to most people on this forum it would be unheard of, but we are still using the old U-Reely handles. I guess it's just become so familiar over time that using anything else feels strange.
Cheers!
Mo

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #26 on:** April 15, 2006, 04:27:37 PM »

My own, line reel incorporated.

--Ray

Andrew Hathaway · « **Reply #27 on:** April 15, 2006, 10:05:38 PM »

Here's an oddball for you... Got two of these in a batch of stuff off Ebay. Rebayed em a few weeks back...