RE: Braze on muffler nipple?
Thanks Earlwb. Who makes the tuned pipe fitting? The only fitting I can find at my LHS is one by Dubro with the nut on the inside.
Posted on: 9/17/2012 7:06 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11231819

RE: Braze on muffler nipple?
[quote]ORIGINAL: earlwb Yes the high temperature silver solder is a good approach. You might be able to get a tuned pipe thin wall fitting in there too. You have to use a l;ength of wire and sort of pull the fitting in from the inside out and then put on the nut. I have a fitting on one of my DDD mufflers but honestly, I have totally forgotten about what I did to get it installed like that. Or whether it came from DDD already installed too. But it hasn't come loose on it yet. Or if it was a thinwall fitting or not. [IMG]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg171/earlwbollinger/Airplanes%20over%20the%20years/Tiger_60_09.jpg[/IMG] [/quote] I was able to get the end cap off, so now I'm thinking I'll just get a new nipple and put a nut on the inside. The muffler in the photo appears to be exactly the muffler I have. I also have a Fox 74 and wish I could find a 70 sized Soundmaster to fit it. I was lucky to find the 50 sized Soundmaster on flea bay, but the larger version seems to be very rare.
Posted on: 9/17/2012 5:30 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11231694

Braze on muffler nipple?
I have an old Soundmaster muffler on my Enya 50SS. It is great, sound level is very good and power is not reduced. In fact, the engine seems more powerful with the Soundmaster than with the original Enya muffler. The soundmaster is made from thinwall steel that is brazed or welded together. The pressure nipple was originally just threaded onto the thin steel, but that lasted about four flights before the theads vibrated loose. So I soldered the nipple on. That worked for awhile, but apparently the muffler gets above the melting temperature of solder, and now that has come apart. I'm wondering if I can braze the brass nipple onto the steel muffler body. I've done some steel-to-steel brazing before using a small oxy acetelene torch. Can I braze brass to steel? What filler metal should I use? Thanks
Posted on: 9/17/2012 9:45 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11231169

RE: TT .39 heli engine ruens glow plugs
Before you run the engine again, take off the back plate and inspect the rear bearing. The bearing cage may be breaking apart. If so then a big chunk of it may breaks off and damage your piston and liner. That is what killed my Pro 46. I had several glow plugs go bad and I didn't realize what was happening until it was too late.
Posted on: 9/3/2012 5:59 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11216247

RE: Want to build my first kit
A piece of sheet rock makes a fine building board. I just built a Sig Mid Star. I had some scrap sheet rock in the basement so I thought it was worth a try. Worked great.
Posted on: 9/3/2012 2:40 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11216053

RE: Goldberg Tiger Club
I miss mine. It was my second plane and I flew it for 8 years. Great flying plane, almost pattern like. Then one day I was thinking that the tree at the end of the runway was sort of bare and needed decorating, so I hung the tiger from one of the top branches. The tree was surrounded by power lines, tick infested poison ivy, and thorny bushes. The Tiger stayed in the tree for 4 months.
Posted on: 9/3/2012 10:27 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11215756

RE: Servos
In my experience the Futaba standard servos - like the S-3004 - are excellent. I have had mixed results with other brands.
Posted on: 9/3/2012 9:31 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11215714

RE: Best Kits
For someone interested in building a profile I would recommend any of Paul Swanson's kits. These are good quality kits and highly capable 3D performers. http://www.swanyshouse.com/index.aspx
Posted on: 9/3/2012 7:11 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11215547

RE: Best Kits
There are lots of good kits at the 'next level' up from a trainer. Sig, Goldberg, Great Planes, even Tower has a few of their own brand. There are also lesser known makes, like Paul Swanson's 3D profiles. If you are more into building than flying then maybe build something scale like the Sig 1/5th scale cub. If you want to build something to fly after you master your trainer then a sport model like the Sig Four Star, Mid Star or Goldberg Tiger, or for more of a builder's kit, the Great Planes Ultra Sport.
Posted on: 8/31/2012 4:56 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11212989

RE: What size of RC planes do you like?
40 to 60 size is the sweet spot for me. Big enough to have some stability in the wind but still economical to build and fly. Cost goes up dramatically as they get larger.
Posted on: 8/22/2012 7:13 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11202782

RE: Are we Geeks?
I am a geek and proud of it.
Posted on: 8/10/2012 3:54 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11188663

RE: Are we Geeks?
Geeks? No. Grumpy old curmudgeons.
Posted on: 8/9/2012 7:44 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11187690

RE: SAito 82 - Inverted - Rough Idle
I ran a Saito 72 inverted without onboard glow. It was a new engine, and at first I could not get a good idle. After several gallons of fuel it improved and eventually the idle became good. At the time I thought that being inverted was causing trouble, but I now think the engine just needed more breaking in. That model died in a rather spectacular mid-air collision, but the engine lives on, now mounted sideways in a GP Ultimate bipe.
Posted on: 8/2/2012 9:24 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11178478

RE: SIG Mid Star 40
I'm putting a MidStar together. I have the fuselage and one wing built. It is the easiest kit I've ever assembled. The quality of the wood and the laser cutting are excellent. It's going to have an Enya 53 four stroke. I'm also building it as a taildragger. I'm still debating whether to use one or two servos for the ailerons.
Posted on: 7/29/2012 8:36 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11174008

RE: 72 mhz still ok?
Maybe convert the sub to 27 MHz? Low frequencies are better for penetrating water. Full scale subs use VLF - something like 100 kHz.
Posted on: 7/21/2012 12:22 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11163666

RE: 72 mhz still ok?
I listen to compact disks. Better audio quality than my iPhone. Newer doesn't always mean better.
Posted on: 7/21/2012 10:29 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11163564

Sig AeroKote
Has anyone tried Sig Aero Kote iron-on film covering? It looks like Sig is discontinuing the product and selling off their inventory. Anyone know why? Was the product not good, or just not selling?
Posted on: 7/21/2012 8:18 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11163458

Sig MidStar
I was looking for a home for my Enya 53 four stroke and the LHS happened to have a Sig Mid Star kit on the shelf. So I'm now building a Mid Star. I forgot how nice Sig kits are and how much fun they are to build. The parts fit together perfectly. I put together the fuselage in about 4 hours. It was self aligning. Just slide the parts together and glue. I expect to spend more time covering than building. I wish Sig had a more interesting selection of kits available. I'm already thinking of which Sig kit to build next. Maybe the Wonder or the 1/5 scale Cub.
Posted on: 7/21/2012 7:45 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11163427

RE: 72 mhz still ok?
2.4 GHz radio systems have to overcome a tremendous disadvantange. The signal loss from Tx antenna to Rx antenna ("path loss") is 30 dB higher on 2.4 GHz than it is on 72 MHz. 30 dB is a factor of one thousand in power. A 2.4 GHz transmitter would have to transmit 1000 times more power than a 72 MHz transmitter in order to produce the same signal level at the receive antenna terminals. The 2.4 GHz systems have overcome this disadvantage through the "processing gain" associated with a spread spectrum system, and by using multiple receivers, which provide polarization and spacial diversity. I feel that aside from the interference problem, 72 MHz is a more robust system. But the interference susceptivility of a 72 MHz system is a real concern. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_loss
Posted on: 7/20/2012 10:35 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11162529

RE: What glow engine would you choose
True, many engines benefit from a good long break in. My Saitos, my ringed 2-strokes, and some of my bushed ABN 2-strokes have continued to improve over the first 2 to 5 gallons of fuel. Engines that were troublesome for the first gallon turned into very reliable great engines. There are also "dead stick" engines that need more than careful breakins. I had one bad engine out of about 35 total that I have owned. It had air leaks that I could not find or fix. After countless hours of working on it I gave up.
Posted on: 7/20/2012 8:58 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11162479

RE: 2000 mah 5 cell 6 volt
Just to be clear to the OP, it is very important that the voltage be measured under load. A pack left open circuited (no load) for a short period of time will rise to an artifically high voltage. Once a load is attached, the voltage will gradually drop. A load of several hundred mA should be applied and the voltage reading should be taken after 10 or 20 seconds when the voltage reaches a steady value. Open circuit voltage readings are not meaningful.
Posted on: 7/20/2012 8:37 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11162457

RE: 72 mhz still ok?
I didn't mean to stir up debate. In response to the OP, my personal experience at our field is that 72 MHz works flawlessly. Several members on 2.4 have complained of losing control, but the cause is unknown and may be unusual turbulance or something else unrelated to 2.4. We also fly directly over a ham radio antenna farm. He runs a kilowatt on the HF bands, and there has been speculation about that being a cause for problems on 2.4, but I doubt it myself.
Posted on: 7/19/2012 8:41 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161143

RE: What glow engine would you choose
I have a sickness - I love them all, I can't choose just one. But high on my list are my Enyas, my Fox 74, and my Saitos. Nothing makes me happy like a reliable, well behaved glow engine.
Posted on: 7/18/2012 8:39 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11160649

RE: 72 mhz still ok?
Absolutely 72 is still OK. I fly 72 without issue while some of my friends on 2.4 are losing control of their planes for unknown reasons. The exception would be if you fly in an area where there may be rogue users on 72, like a public park with RC boat or car activity.
Posted on: 7/18/2012 8:09 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11160628

RE: AMSOIL SABER 100:1 PRE MIX SYNTHETIC 2-CYCLE OIL AND AMSOIL QUICK SHOT FUEL ADDITIVE
ROFLMAO
Posted on: 7/17/2012 3:00 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11159042

RE: Great Planes 5 & 30 minute epoxy crystalizes?
I suspect Tower / Hoobico / Bob Smith and others just repackage epoxy they buy in bulk from suppliers. It may even all be the same stuff.
Posted on: 7/13/2012 4:58 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11154309

RE: All my resin is solid as a rock, never had this happen!!!
I had epoxy go bad after I accidentally switched the caps on the two bottles. Apparently it takes only a tiny bit of cross contamination to cause the epoxy to start to go hard. Mine was not GP, but I forget what brand it was. Epoxy generally seems to last for years. It doesn't seem to have a shelf life.
Posted on: 7/11/2012 6:41 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11151983

RE: Chosing a New Engine OS, Magnum, Thunder Tiger
Among the engines you listed, I would also coose the TT Pro 46. In addition to the Fox that Sport Pilot mentioned, I recommend an Enya 50SS (ringed) or 50CX (ABC). They are too expensive new from Enya, but sometimes they appear on auction sites for good prices. The Enya 40SS is more available but it is iron/steel lapped construction, and requires a long break in. I would not recommend the 40SS unless you have some time. I had a bad experience with the Magnum 46XLS and do not recommend it. Others here will disagree.
Posted on: 7/9/2012 9:05 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11148700

RE: Why buy a kit just to have it?
Decide upon the most you are willing to pay for an eBay item. Then set it up on a bidding tool like SnipeSwipe and then don't even look at the auction until it ends. It will bid for you at the last possible second. And you will not get emotionally involved and pay more than the item is worth. I share the kit collecting neurosis. I buy kits that I would like to build, but then somehow I never get around to building them. Or they sit on my building table for years half finished. Buying stuff is fun and fast, but building takes a loooong time.
Posted on: 7/8/2012 8:34 PM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11148208

RE: Why are we using NiMh...really?
I think Rodney has it. Peak detect just does not work well with NiMH. The peak voltage inflection is tiny, and add to that the batteries in a pack may not all peak at the same time. Chargers will sometimes miss the peak and cook the pack. Charging NiMH at C/10 or less using a timed charge is the way to go in my opinion. So far my Eneloops are holding up well. Three years and counting. And their self discharge rate is practically zero.
Posted on: 7/8/2012 7:20 AM by Author "JPMacG" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11147385