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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Bill Little on November 04, 2015, 04:12:06 PM
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Hi All,
This is a topic I have not see discussed before. I suspect that Spectra lines are a bit lighter than steel, but can't swear to it. With 1/2A models, a fixed tip weight is often used for ease.
Has anyone seen a major problem with the differences in line weight? Or is it a non issue?
I have a Little Legends (Buso) USA-1 and Eric's (RSM) new Leprechaun version of the Still Stuka to make up lines for. ;)
Speaking about the Stuka, this is a really wonderful little kit!
Thanks, all!
Bill
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I think the Spectra is quite a bit lighter. I set up for steel lines and just live with too much tip weight for sport and practice flying. Of course, I don't fly all that great anyhow.
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The Spectra fiber is quite a bit lighter. I weighed 0.015 braided steel cable and equivalent diameter (65 lb test) Spectra fiber. Both sets were same length, same line connectors. The Spectra fiber lines were one-third the weight of the braided steel cable.
On most of my planes I removed some tip weight. Others I left alone, depends on certain factors. You can remove tip weight if you need to or fly on longer lines with the Spectra fiber.
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Steel is about 8 times as dense as Spectra braid. 60 ft. .018 lines weight about 26 grams. Same length of 100lb. test Spectra weighs 6 grams. That means a total difference of about 40 grams in tip weight and lines on your Involution.
Depending on the manufacturer and how the lines is braided Spectra lines do seem a bit draggier, so a half a degree or so me leadout rake might be needed.