Thunderbolt or merlin plug availability?

[Rob Duckering]

Where can we buy t-bolt or merlin plugs?

[Steve Helmick]

Hobby People for the T-bolts...Randy Smith and Leonard Neuman usually have them in stock. If you can get K&B glowplugs, they're good, as all are made by Ohlsson Corporation, that being what was left of Ohlsson & Rice after the partnership blow-up and lawsuit.

Merlin glowplugs are apparently sold/distributed by Brodak's. I've never seen one, but they have a good reputation.  Steve

[Motorman]

I would say the Merlin plugs are an order of magnitude above all other plugs. I use the 2005 and it's excellent. Here's a chance to buy something made in USA by a fellow modeler.

http://www.merlinglowplugs.com/main_page.html


MM

[david beazley]

I have bought Merlin plugs direct from them
http://merlinglowplugs.com

[Steve Helmick]

Thanks for posting the link to Merlin. Curious, I checked the price list and the "Airplane List". The #2005 was listed as "hot" on one list and "medium" on the other list. Made me say "Huh?".     Steve

[John Leidle]

  Quite a list to choose from. Does anyone know if they make an Idle Bar plug? I have no idea what " Flat Coil, Turbo & Standard " mean.
                 John

[Motorman]

Standard is the regular plug we all know and love with 1/4-32 threads and copper gasket seal, turbo plug has an angled seal on the end and only fits turbo heads. Flat coil is the glow bee which looks like the coil burners on an old type oven.

MM

[Motorman]

Thanks for posting the link to Merlin. Curious, I checked the price list and the "Airplane List". The #2005 was listed as "hot" on one list and "medium" on the other list. Made me say "Huh?".     Steve

The K&B 1L is a medium plug like the Merlin 2003, the 2005 is a little hotter and the 2004 is even hotter still.

MM

[RknRusty]

Just a few minutes before finding this thread, I bought a pair of thunderbolts on ebay for $6.99 ea., with free shipping. I also use the Enya #3 which is a hot plug without the idle bar that the T-bolt has. I think the T-bolt is longer than the Enya 3.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thunderbolt-Glow-Plug-Standard-Long-03708-new-/322149972332?hash=item4b01a2796c:g:qQ8AAOSwMNxXX2R0

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Enya-3-Hot-Heat-Range-Standard-Glow-Plug-RC-aircraft-part-/322243584445?hash=item4b0736e1bd:g:fFIAAOSw-kdXwykh

[Randy Cuberly]

Just a few minutes before finding this thread, I bought a pair of thunderbolts on ebay for $6.99 ea., with free shipping. I also use the Enya #3 which is a hot plug without the idle bar that the T-bolt has. I think the T-bolt is longer than the Enya 3.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thunderbolt-Glow-Plug-Standard-Long-03708-new-/322149972332?hash=item4b01a2796c:g:qQ8AAOSwMNxXX2R0

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Enya-3-Hot-Heat-Range-Standard-Glow-Plug-RC-aircraft-part-/322243584445?hash=item4b0736e1bd:g:fFIAAOSw-kdXwykh

I think everyone should use the Merlin plugs, so I don't have as much problem finding T-Bolts! 

Randy Cuberly

[RknRusty]

I love the Merlin drop-in plugs for my 1/2A engines. They're a lot like the Norvel plugs, but stouter I think. Theses are the ones held down by a threaded clamp-ring. And the plug forms the whole combustion chamber with the copper gaskets, of which, more than usual are required for the Cox Tee Dees and Reedies.
Rusty

[Balsa Butcher]

Another Merlin fan here. I have found them comparable to T-bolts but longer lasting. No idle bars. I talked, well, listened, at length while their head guy what's in charge explained to me why idle bars were not necessary. Was convinced, don't remember the details. I still keep a few T-Bolts in the box (Enya #3's too) but the go-to plug for most engines is the Merlin 2005.