Plastic Hinges

[David M Johnson]

This is the first time I've used these types of hinges.  What is the preferred method of securing them? Epoxy? Ca? White glue?  They are going into a Twister and the plane is for a friend so I would hate to experiment.
Thanks so much
David Johnson

[Derek Barry]

I like epoxy but you have to lube the hinge pin to prevent sticking. Dad likes white glue, no lube needed, the excess will just flake off. I use epoxy because it is not affected by moisture unlike white glue. However, dad has not had a failure either.

Derek

[Crist Rigotti]

I use Pacer 560 glue.  Much like white glue but is for plastics.  Never had a failure.

[john e. holliday]

Myself I don't glue the Plastic Du-Bro hinges in.   I put the hinge in place and drill a hole the the balsa and hinge just big enough that a cooking skewer from the local grocery will fit.   Then before cutting the excess off I put a drop of CA top and bottom.  No glue in the hinge joint and they will not pull out without taking material with them.

[David M Johnson]

John, I do that with the CA hinges but instead of skewers I use toothpicks as these are smaller in diameter.  I was going to do the same thing with the plastic ones but I wanted to know what the more experienced builders were doing.  Thank you all for your advice.
David Johnson

[Mike Griffin]

David I use the white Elmer's glue and never had a failure.  I fact I build my entire plane mostly with white glue. 

Mike

[Steven Kientz]

 I agree with Doc on "pinning" them. i have a friend who flies 30% ers(IMAC) and pins his hinges, no failures yet.

Steve

[Randy Powell]

Unfortunately, pinning means the control surfaces have to be attached before paint. So I just glue them in. I've used epoxy, various aliphatic resin glues (white glue) and celluloid glues. I have mostly settled on Pacer white glue. Oh, I also tried Plasti-Zap. That worked OK, but even lubing the hinges didn't really work and I had to work glue out of the hinges. 

[SteveMoon]

I use 15 minute epoxy and do the flaps in one session, and then do the
elevators. I put model train gear oil on the center of the hinge and then
use a toothpick to put some epoxy into the hinge slot and on the tip of
the hinge. Slide in place, hold for a few minutes, done.

Steve

[Randy Powell]

I usually put all the hinges in the airframe on one day then the next day (or whenever) make sure all the hinges are clear of glue and then glue on the control surfaces. Makes it easier for me to make sure the hinges are aligned.

[Mark Scarborough]

Randy, funny I do it the opposite,
I put all the hinges in the control surfaces,, using the edge of the bench to make sure they are all aligned, let them cure, then put the surface onto the model gluing the airframe side of the hinges,

I have a metal measuring spoon taped to the lid on my vaseline jar, I warm the vaseline until it is liquid, dip the hinge barrel into the moulten vaseline just enough to cover the barrell, then take it out and let it cool. The vaseline goes into the hinge barrell and prevents any epoxy from getting inside.

[Bill Little]

I have used about every type of glue to affix hinges.  My favorite was Pica Glu-it.  Now it is Pacer canopy glue.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM