One set of lines, Two airplanes.

[John Rist]

I must admit that this is obvious to most casual observer but I wanted to use one set of lines for two models.  I have a hard point handle that is non adjustable for neutral.  I adjust neutral by bending clips with a LEE MACHINE SHOP  Line Clip bender.  So the obvious answer is to leave the set of  line clips, bent up special to adjust neutral, on each model.  That way when you hook up the lines controls will be centered.   

[john e. holliday]

The up line at the airplane end is the clip I use for adjustment as it is the one I leave on the plane.  Right now I have about 6 planes using the same set of lines and handle.  Hope to correct that this next year.

[Brett Buck]

MBS has lines and all you need

[Paul Walker]

MBS has lines and all you need

That's like shouting into a hurricane Brett.
They have already made up their mind.

[Brent Williams]

If you can build an airplane, you can definitely make your own lines.  Having a dedicated handle and set of lines for each plane sure simplifies things and makes it easier to maintain trim settings. 

After making my first set of lines, I was surprised that making a set of lines wasn't that difficult or intimidating. 

Build, buy or borrow a line wrapping jig.  I borrowed Gordan Delaney's line wrapping jig and have made and adjusted several sets lines.  It's rather empowering knowing that you can do it for yourself.   

Here's the jig that I have used.  Made from a few chunks of aluminum bar/beam, wheel collets and some 1/8" music wire (Yes Gordan...you'll get it back soon...I promise!...

[Larry Renger]

Lines and handle dedicated to a particular model are an important survival feature. I have personally seen a model destroyed by flying with the wrong handle and line set. Also, the one clip on the plane, one on the lines is a winner too. One Nationals winner I know has destroyed at least four planes by hooking his lines up backwards and not visually rechecking the control direction. He isn’t the only one.

Happily, I only did it once before adopting the line clip/dedicated line set solution. (I did save that plane by giving full “down” to get it straight up, then flipping the handle over. Most times, this results in a fatal stall, but I was very lucky and survived the mistake.

When I make a set of lines, both ends are color coded with shrink tubing. Redundant safety features are never excessive caution. I’ll probably still screw up sometime in the future. 
You can not be too paranoid about this!

[Howard Rush]

Doc’s method looks ok to me, especially if you don’t fly much. I’d make an identical, spare set of lines (there’s a way to do this).  Otherwise when the lines go you gotta recalibrate the clips on all the planes.

[Howard Rush]

Build, buy or borrow a line wrapping jig. 

That is a good idea, says the guy who’s wrapped hundreds of sets by hand. Makes my fingers sore to think about it.

[Scott Richlen]

Seems pretty easy to order a set of lines with finished (wrapped) ends from Tom Morris.  I've never had any problems with his.

Every spring when flying starts I run out my old set, run out my new set in parallel.  Adjust handles as needed (one handle per plane) for the new set, and then retire the old set of lines.

Scott

[Randy Cuberly]

It seems to me that lines and handle are about the cheapest and easiest part of a CL airplane.  It's far beyond me as to why anyone would want to use one set of lines and handle for several airplanes.

Get a dedicated set of lines and handle for each airplane.  Leave the handle on the lines; leave one line clip on the airplane and one on the lines and you will never wind up with a stupid look on your face after you crash because you took off with your handle upside-down.  Of course there are some people that simply prefer to do everything the hard way.  Go Figure!

Yeah, I know, I'm wasting my breath also!

Randy Cuberly

[Fred Cronenwett]

many years ago I was wrapping up my lines and took the handle off the lines and one of the older stunt pilots told me what I was doing wrong. what he told me was what Randy suggests. each airplane has a dedicated set of lines and one clip stays on the airplane and the other stays on the lines. And you never remove the handle from the lines. If you watch me at a contest I will hook up the  lines verify the system is working correctly but I don't have to adjust the neutral elevator because that was done many months ago.

The other advantage is of getting the handle trimmed in a more relaxed environment (compared to a contest).  Having a dedicated set of lines is that you know how the model will respond without thinking about it. I buy the bulk line material and I make my own handles. Each model has is own set of dedicated lines. because I use everything from .015 dia up to the .022 solids and they vary in length.

Learn how to wrap the ends and you are all set

Fred

[Peter Nevai]

Reading some of the comments here, one  needs to remember there is always more than one way do accomplish things. Other than different line lengths I have used the same set of lines for my models since the 70's. Years ago I fabricated an adjustable handle that could be adjusted in flight easily and locked into position. I can dial in the feel and crank in up or down while the model is in the air. I have grown more fond of this ability as I have gotten older as some mornings as the damage from fractures from my younger days makes it's self more pronounced. There are times when dialing in more down or up depending how the elbow is acting that day is a pleasure, and not having to fly out the tank land make and adjustment and try, try again until it feels right. I never had more than two (2) set of lines in my kit and that was because some were 20 sized models others with a 60 engine in them. Never had the need to have a different set of lines for each model. What ever works for you is OK with me, but don't expect vice versa.

And remember opinions are like elbows and assholes..... everyone has em'.

[Fred Cronenwett]

Use what works best for you. Keeping track of multiple sets of lines can be chore but it works for me. I do have a big collection of handles that I have accumulated over the years. I have heard that some pilots always make the leadouts equel length (elevator in neutral position) on every model so that regardless of what set of lines they use they are always adjusted. everyone seems to have a different approach to the problem, but they all work.

Fred

[Steve Helmick]

Seems to me like one set of lines for two airplanes is an expeditious method to turn it into one set of lines for one plane, at best. JMHO. How would you adjust the handle spacing correctly for each plane, and make sure you always have that setting correct?

FWIW, I feel it's really important to have three standard factory clips, with both at the plane, and one custom oddball and one stock factory clip at the handle. I decided on this when I discovered that one of my planes had a clip go missing...it fell off, and I found it, but didn't know which leadout it went on. Your plan seems to require reversing that, and I don't see a good reason to take the chance you're taking. But they're your planes.  Steve

[Howard Rush]

How would you adjust the handle spacing correctly for each plane, and make sure you always have that setting correct?

Good point.  I didn't think of that, despite having different spacing on all my stunters.

[Brett Buck]

That is a good idea, says the guy who’s wrapped hundreds of sets by hand. Makes my fingers sore to think about it.

  Before I got my Gerry Phelps wrapping jig, I think I actually got nerve damage in the pads of my fingers that made them go numb in a few spots, and it didn't come back for several years. Using the various fly-tying type jigs makes it painless, and much faster and neater.

     Brett

[Jim Hoffman]

Gents,

The wide difference in opinion on dedicated handle/lines for each airplane may be simply the different spot on the competition scale of the various contributors.  The serious competitors have dedicated lines/handles w/ no exception in my experience.  The sport fliers or occasional flyers without competition on their agenda perhaps have different objectives when they go fly than your average competitor.

BTW - I have an airplane specific box for all my airplanes.  Specific tools, spare parts, spinners, props, handles/lines, fuel tanks etc.

There is no wrong way to enjoy a hobby.  However you will see most competitors adopt some pretty common practices.  Dedicated handle and lines is one such practice.

Jim Hoffman

[Scott Richlen]

I'm not sure why you would want to tie your own lines when Tom Morris makes perfectly good ones.  After all, we have a BOM rule, not a BOL rule.  Considering the ROI, you'd have to wind lines for what, 10 seasons?, before you reached pay-back.  Efficiency-wise it doesn't make sense to me.

I suppose at the top of the Expert category you might want to have a set of lines for each plane since you would be setting their length to the millimeter when you trim, but for the rest of us a set of lines for each weight category would seem sufficient unless you have a very wide and distinct set of flight characteristics in the planes of one category (but from the point of view of performance consistency at contests you wouldn't want that!)  A dedicated handle per plane should be sufficient.

But, this is what works for me.  You should do as you please.  Otherwise you fall susceptible to the very prevalent "Stunt lemming" disease that so ferociously attacks this community.  It is obviously highly contagious based on the number of those afflicted....

[Steve Helmick]

My observation over many years, and flying many types of model aeroplanes has always been that the better the model flies, the longer it will last. Is there a need to say that the better a model is trimmed, the better it will fly, and that handle spacing and neutral setting is a significant part of that? But then, I'm the guy that thinks basic trainer planes should be carefully trimmed, before putting a total beginner on the handle.  Steve

PS: The Tom Morris lines I've been using for the last couple of years do not have the lines snuggled into the eyelets as well as I would like...quite loose, in fact. It is my intention to return to tying up my own lines, even if I have to use the neighbor's driveway, despite their automatic watering system. My driveway is short and yard is terraced, so no suitable area for making up lines. When I get to go flying, I want to fly, not make up lines. I intend to run away from eyelets and jump on the 1/16" OD brass tubing train, as suggested by Daniel Dirt.