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Author Topic: grommets...  (Read 1862 times)

Offline Tim Wescott

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grommets...
« on: September 16, 2010, 10:27:31 AM »
Do folks normally do anything special with their leadouts?  It seems that it's standard to terminate ones line with grommets (to keep them from wearing out, I assume).  But my leadout kits never come with grommets, leading me to believe that the 'standard' is to just make a loop of wire..

Is this an "oh, you never need that" item, a "you'll crash before you ever wear out the leadouts" item, or "it's really a good idea to put them in even if it wasn't done in the 60's" sort of thing?

And if I do want to grommet my leadouts, is there someplace that I can get grommets and cable in bulk?  I could machine my own grommets from round stock, and win most "my plane has more custom machined parts than yours does" contests, but it'd sure take time...
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Offline John Craig

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2010, 10:31:37 AM »
http://www.mbsmodelsupply.com/

They have all you need to make lines.  Grommets 20/pkt @ $2.00.

Offline Scott Jenkins

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2010, 10:49:56 AM »
Tim,

""my plane has more custom machined parts than yours does" contests,"

Dang, that almost sounds like a challenge or a contest  S?P

Scott
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m) During the refuelling and the restart of the motor, and until the time when he releases the model aircraft, the mechanic must keep the model aircraft in contact with the ground by at least one point and with the centre line outside the flight circle. During that time the pilot must be crouching or sitting inside the centre circle. He keeps one hand on the ground and his handle and his lines as close to the ground as defined by the F2C panel of judges until the model aircraft starts again.

Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2010, 10:57:25 AM »
http://www.mbsmodelsupply.com/

They have all you need to make lines.  Grommets 20/pkt @ $2.00.
Ooh cool.  Next month when I get my modeling allowance I'm gonna blow it on them...

But do I need to grommet my leadouts?
AMA 64232

The problem with electric is that once you get the smoke generator and sound system installed, the plane is too heavy.

Offline John Stiles

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2010, 01:09:39 PM »
is there someplace that I can get grommets and cable in bulk? Do you care what color they are? LL~
John Stiles             Tulip, Ar.

Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2010, 01:45:02 PM »
Pink would be nice, although I suppose I could settle for purple.

Actually a nice buttercup yellow would match the current plane I'm working on.
AMA 64232

The problem with electric is that once you get the smoke generator and sound system installed, the plane is too heavy.

Offline John Stiles

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2010, 03:44:53 AM »
Pink would be nice, although I suppose I could settle for purple.

Actually a nice buttercup yellow would match the current plane I'm working on.
I bought a whole mess of them but they were every different color in the sewing section at walmart. That was some time ago, but I still have quite a few left. I think I paid less than $5.
John Stiles             Tulip, Ar.

Offline Allan Perret

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2010, 05:27:12 AM »
RSM also has grommets.
Allan Perret
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Offline George

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #8 on: September 17, 2010, 08:31:39 AM »
Since most of us older modelers are also scroungers for anything that can be used on models...someone once suggested using the eyelets from parts packs. These usually work but often one flange side is higher than the other. Although I have used them, I prefer the purchased ones because the flange is usually the same height on both sides and are made for our purpose.

Although both grommets and eyelets are designed to be final shaped with a tool, I have never done this. I just use them as they come...wrap them around the end of the lines or leadouts twice and use the AMA line wrap. I usually pull on the line and eyelet to make it nice and snug between the first and second wrap on the lines.

There are probably as many different ways as there are eyelets.  ;D

And, as someone mentioned...whether you need them or not probably depends on how many flights you expect to make with that model.
 
Actually, I don't usually use them on leadouts because I prefer solid leadouts.

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Offline FLOYD CARTER

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #9 on: September 17, 2010, 10:27:11 AM »
There was a time when brass grommets were scarce.  A good termination can be made using a short piece of aluminum tubing, heated to anneal, then bent into a small "U" shape to fit over the leadout cable.  Then wrap with copper wire in the usual way.

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Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2010, 10:39:58 AM »
There was a time when brass grommets were scarce.  A good termination can be made using a short piece of aluminum tubing, heated to anneal, then bent into a small "U" shape to fit over the leadout cable.  Then wrap with copper wire in the usual way.
Well that's obvious -- in hindsight.  D'oh, and thanks for pointing out what I should have been able to figger out for myself!
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Offline Bob Reeves

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2010, 01:41:17 PM »
Tim,

""my plane has more custom machined parts than yours does" contests,"

Dang, that almost sounds like a challenge or a contest  S?P

Scott

Sounds like a fun contest, this would be my entry, everything metal was made in my shop except of course the clevises, bellcrank and wheels.


Offline Tim Wescott

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2010, 03:41:56 PM »
Sounds like a fun contest, this would be my entry, everything metal was made in my shop except of course the clevises, bellcrank and wheels.
So, does that mean you made the engine?
AMA 64232

The problem with electric is that once you get the smoke generator and sound system installed, the plane is too heavy.

Offline Bob Reeves

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2010, 04:00:32 PM »
After I wrote it I knew this would come up.. Should have said hardware instead of metal.. No I didn't build the engine  ;D

Offline Bill Little

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Re: grommets...
« Reply #14 on: September 17, 2010, 08:43:11 PM »
As Floyd said, tubing can be annealed and bent for the lead outs.  1/16th" brass tubing is what I use.  I mainly use the brass tubing on *big* planes, .60 size/piped, etc..

Oh, yeah, I put the lead out wire in the tubing after I heat it and before I bend it.  Windy used to use the eyelets on solids, too (may still do it??).

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