Need Struts?

[gregmarine]

Are the struts needed? I broke mine yesterday and then flew again without any trouble. But if I need them for stability, I want to replace them. Any advice?

Thanks,
Greg

[crashedagain]

Hey Greg, The struts are there to add some stability to the wings to prevent them from folding up and snapping... like when they become stressed from "acrobatics" Some people have eliminated the struts and replaced them with Carbon Fiber rods (CF Rods). They simply cut a channel into the wing (with an extremely sharp hobby-knife) and lay the rods in there. It is then covered up with epoxy or a Gorilla Glue/Elmer's glue (2:1) combination. Others have used Fishing string (nylon) to replace the struts. They are simply strung through the eyeholes in the wing assembly and tied off under the Fuselage where the struts would have normally screwed in. Both are great ideas. I personally used the Nylon idea.
If you do some lazy "sunday" flying, then you might not need to put in wing struts. However, if you put your plane into a powered nosedive and then try to pull out of it, You might be in for some action.
So the struts are not necessarily needed, just some type of "support" for the wings.

If anyone thinks otherwise, please feel free to correct me

Colin.

[05prostock]

Crashedagain is correct. It would be smart to use struts or cf rods. However, I don't use the struts at all. I put a long piece of packaging tape on both sides of the wing to prevent folding and it does a great job. I also double up the rubber bands and I haven't had any troubles, yet. bum bum bum...

[gregmarine]

Thanks for the advice. I've ordered the replacement struts. If I break them again, I might go with the fishing line idea. I'll just have to watch out for trees...LOL That's how I broke them...

Thanks,
Greg

[rolie]

Greg;
I broke so many struts this year, and this solution worked for me. Straighten out a small paper clip, leaving the small curl in place. Carefully laying it along the flat side of the broken strut, lay a bead of hot glue the entire length of the straightened paper clip. You'll find you will not be able to over stretch the dyheral of the wing, and yet when a crash occurs, the paper clip will simply "straighten out" of the eyelets in the wing. I actully prefer "my" struts to the factory ones.
Rolie

[finchkid24]

rolie: Can you get a picture of your set up...seems like it may also save the battery box/mount some stress on rough landings.

-Finch

[rolie]

Finch, I'd be glad to, but I'm not sure how to post a picture. Maybe, if I try to be a little more detailed on a descritption. I lay the "straightend" paper clip on the flat side of the broken strut, leaving about 1/2" extending out past the broken end of the strut. Lay a bead of hot glue along the entire length of the paper clip/strut, and bond the two together. Now use the part of the paper clip extending out as the hook for the wing. It is very stable, yet will "bend out" upon impact. A plus, is that it can be reinserted back into the wing, rebent, and used again.
Now if somebody would teach me to post a picture, you all won't have to listen to all of this rethoric.
Rolie

[coougarr]

Hey Rolie, Try this link

supercubclub.proboards78.com/index.cgi?board=pics&action=display&thread=1170095105

[rolie]

See if this works. Good luck to all.

[SCC]

Hi rolie.
The original photo link that you put up had a missing bracket.

When in photobucket, under the pics there are links. If you put your mouse over the img link and left click once it should say ''copy'' in yellow.

All thats left to do is paste the link in your post. Hope this helps.

[rolie]

Thanks SCC. That's the first photo I've ever posted. Who says you can't teach an old dognew tricks. I appreciate the help.
Rolie

[rolie]

Now that I'm an old pro at this, maybe this picture is a little better. I know it's a crude "fix", but it works.
Rolie

[SCC]

Rolie. Your welcome.
Nice mod on the wing strut.

[cvrcmember]

Good mod on the wing strut, definitely keep your struts on, no matter what because it surely doesn't sound good when you're pulling out of a high "G" loop and your wings snap!