Rubber band warning

[zeta30]

I've had my ailerons for a little while now and the last few times out I've noticed the response has been a little sluggish. When I first did the upgrade the plane would really snap around a barrel roll, but the response became more and more delayed.

The problem was that the rubber bands holding the wings to the fus were becoming stretched out. Fortunately none of them had broken.

I had some spares with me, attached them and the plane became very responsive again.

So long story short, make sure you keep an eye on the rubber bands and even if they look ok, it's probably a good idea to replace them frequently.

[mrmugen]

Thanks for adding this. One other note....#64 rubber bands like these www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXL434&P=7 work great too....even better than the stock SC rubber. Try them and see what I mean. Also they are made from real rubber and not man made stuff. Kevin

[zeta30]

Thanks for the link, I'll be ordering some. They seem much cheaper than the stock ones too which is always a bonus.

[tvinyard]

Most office supply stores stock #64 rubber bands. I bought a pack at Staples for less than $2.00.

[gregmarine]

Someone in the local club told me to stay away from the office supply store's #64 rubber bands. They said get them from a hobby dealer because the rubber is of better quality. Just my $.02 :-)

Thanks,
Greg

[mrmugen]

Your absolutely right Greg. Stay away from them at all costs. They break easily and will take a pounding from the suns rays. They are not made of good rubber. Kevin

[zeta30]

Thanks guys,

I was going to pick some up tomorrow at an Office Supply store tomorrow. That tip probably saved me a pretty good crash.

[zeta30]

mrmugen,

I received the box of #64 bands, they are quite a bit shorter than the stock, about 2" shorter, thicker too. Do you use these even though they are tighter? It almost seems like they would break the posts they connect to.

Not complaining because I can always use the bands in other applications.

Thanks,

Jay

[mrmugen]

Those are the ones to use. However you must do my tooth pic mod. I will try to find it. You just simply use 2 tooth pics on each post side. I will look quick.

[mrmugen]

Hope this helps. Kevin

[davemac2]

? I don't get it Kevin?

dave mc

[cjg]

When my stock rubber bands got looser I simply tied a small knot on one end to shorten them, these tightens them up.

[zeta30]

I get it. You install toothpicks above the dowel rod that holds the rubber bands. This will reinforce the dowel so it doesn't move up from the extra pressure of the smaller rubber bands.

Great tip!!!!

[mrmugen]

It helps distribute the pressure over 5 inches instead of 1/4 inch. I also cut some small pieces of wooden dowel instead of the plastic stock dowels. It is a much sturdier set up. Kevin