Robert Parker Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Hi all, I really would appriciate some advice on how to fit these hinges without gluing the actual hinge. I have tried them before in the past but ended up cutting them out. But now, I am determind to use them for the flaps on my Topflight P40 Warhawk which I am now at covering stage (tissue and dope). Any suggestions. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Use epoxy to fit them - put a dab of vaseline on the hinge point. Apply the glue to the hole, not the hinge, with a cocktail stick or similar. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 thats what i do. fill the hole with glue, vaseline over the hinge point and push home, making sure they are lined up right. then leave for a couple of hours to set, before glueing them into the flap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Haha - snap Tony! Great minds think alike! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted August 18, 2013 Author Share Posted August 18, 2013 Hi BEB, Thanks for getting back to me so promptly. I seem to recall using vaseline before, but perhaps too much glue. I'll give it a go after I have finished coerving her. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 work the hinge a few times before it is fully set, just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concorde Speedbird Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 I don't know about robart hinges, but for my hinges I use PVA- it sticks like anything, and it doesn't seize up the hinge. Works well! CS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 PVA is good for many hinges but I wouldn't recommend it for Robarts. The Robarts pin hinge arm has sort of "serrations" along the length, you really need a mechanical lock to hold these in. So you don't so much "glue" the hinge in as allow a blob of epoxy to form around them that jams/traps them in. They would have to break break that (or pull it away from the wood) to come out The glue is stuck to the wood, but the holding of the hinge is basically a mechanical inter locking if you see what I mean BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codename-John Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 If you heat the vaseline up a bit once on, it runs into the hinge better than just blobbing it on and working it in too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greybeard Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 I use aliphatic glue with a little vaseline on the hinge, it takes a lot longer than epoxy for the glue to set and gives you a change to line them properly - and it's more than strong enough. When you fit them bend them to as near 90 deg as you can get, that way it's easier to see if they are in the correct orientation. As others have said fit to one surface and leave 24hrs before attaching the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 I bought the drill jig that you can get for the Robart pin hinges. Very good value and makes the job so much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Tee Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 I drill the holes fit the hinges and put the control surface in place. Check the alignment, shim with bits of balsa, once correct shims are glued in with PVA. Then use an instrument screw driver to spread a little Vaseline in and around the moving part, put plenty of epoxy in the hole and wet the ridged part of the hinge with a film of epoxy. Push the hinge in and wipe away any epoxy that leaks out with kitchen paper towel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Smitheman Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 What I find works excellently with hinges is to fold them double, and dip the pivot in hot candle wax (I use one of those tea candles) and then lay them flat on a piece of paper to set. I then stick them in with cyano or epoxy; epoxy is easier wit the robart ones. Leave the epoxy to set to the rubbery stage and pick off the excess. The hinges free off with a bit of wiggling to get the wax loose. I use a hole drilling guide that works with an xacto knife handle, it's ancient, but like me it works fairly well. Last time I did this I knocked the tea candle onto the floor.... so its not foolproof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn Johnston Posted August 20, 2013 Share Posted August 20, 2013 The drill jig mentioned above is great, but don't assume that all of the hinge-points should be exactly half-way up the thickness of the wood. If the front edge of the ailerons runs at an angle to the spar, for example, then the front edge of the aileron will be slightly curved and the hinge-line won't be half-way up at all points. Make sure you use a steel rule and work out where your hinge-line will be before you drill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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