Maybe wrong forum but Lead-Out lines ??

[Hoss Cain]

Just getting back / trying to get back into some CL Stunt, I notice that about all of the pictures I see show flexible leadout lines.  When I was an active CL Stunt/Scale, etc. flier, I always used solid wire leadouts.

While AMA CL General states: "The guidelines for construction of the control lines are also recommended for construction of the aircraft lead-out wires." that is a recommendation and NOT a rule.

Solid leadouts work fine for me and are by far the easier to install plus last almost forever.

Comments

Thanks for information.
 

[Steve Helmick]

There's at least one thread in the Building Forum. http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=11291.0
I used to use solids, but wouldn't use them again, for any reason. JMHO.  Steve

[Richard Grogan]

I no longer trust them either.They get bent easily when transporting the plane, and if you try to straighten the bend, it creates a stress point.I lost a plane to using it, and so did a friend of mine.They're ok for 1/2As, It's just not worth it to use on anything bigger, IMHO. I guess you had to have been there to become a believer. I know a few folks that still use them with success. Not me.

 Hoss, if you need some good stranded leadout cable, shoot me a PM and I'll give you some. We are neighbors, kinda sorta...

[Hoss Cain]

I no longer trust them either.They get bent easily when transporting the plane, and if you try to straighten the bend, it creates a stress point.I lost a plane to using it, and so did a friend of mine.They're ok for 1/2As, It's just not worth it to use on anything bigger, IMHO. I guess you had to have been there to become a believer. I know a few folks that still use them with success. Not me.

 Hoss, if you need some good stranded leadout cable, shoot me a PM and I'll give you some. We are neighbors, kinda sorta...

Thank You much, Mr. Richard, however having them is Not a problem. It is just that during my CL years, 1948-1973, I preferred solids, and I tried many options. Now that I wish to do some CL again, and I see so many models using stranded, I just wanted to be sure I was reading the rules right.

I did do this stuff once upon a time. Most of these trophies were CL and FF but some RC. All these were thrown away in 1983 when I went through a metamorphosis of life style. The airplanes were all CL and FF when I was preparing to go to my last USAF model airplane championships in 1967. Took two firsts, CL stunt and C FF. Guess the Stunt was because Trostle did not show that year. 

[Richard Grogan]

Do what you like.I have no doubt you have been there and back.I used to fly with you on Wilson Rd. Just a side note though: If you want to use piano wire on a new model, I suggest you find a piano tuning technician to buy it from. K&S ain't what it used to be. I broke a string on one of my pianos, and needed a string. So I got a piece from Larry's to fix it with. Lasted about an hour or two. Called my tuner friend and he came out to fix it. He explained to me that all piano wire is Not the same.He said that the KS wire was brittle, lacked tempering, and don't waste the money on it.That was 2 years ago, the wire he brought is still nice and tuned. Go with what you know!

Good luck with your return to the hobby, and have fun! BTW, we're having a contest this month. Shoot me a PM for details if you care to attend!
See ya!

[James C. Johnson]

Solid leadouts work fine for me and are by far the easier to install plus last almost forever.

I used to be "old school" too and used piano wire for lead outs. Steve is right about them getting bent over time..

my rule of thumb is solid lead-outs on smaller models and flexible on larger ones.. one thing is when building.. you might want to wear safety glasses.. I have almost poked my eye out with solids... I wouldn't bend the ends sometimes until I was finished painting.. I also use a nail or something round to bend them around.. no more hard angles.. I used solids for the same reason you did.. they are quick..

Cables are pretty quick too.. after a couple of times you may never go back to solids..

Thinking back .. I never had a solid break... One my larger models I order them pre-made
http://www.clcentral.com/products.asp?cat=65

Jim