RE: Building a Dynaflite Super Decathlon
That's basically the way I do it too. The only difference is I took a coat hangar and fashioned a frame around the vasaline lid ( mine was metal) and bent a base on the wire for the lid to set level allowing enough room for a small candle to heat the vasaline. I also use the same method on my Dubro butt style hinges both regular and large scale type. When done I just grab the wire frame with pliers and pour it right back into the container. Either way is slick. Frank
Posted on: 8/4/2012 11:08 AM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11180778

RE: Post your favorite quotes
Work your way up-or rust your way out. Unknown Ain't no biggie!! Frank
Posted on: 5/24/2012 5:54 AM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11092852

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz*
Forgot to add that Hangtime will put the old Sanwa/Vanguard connector on for you. Frank
Posted on: 7/3/2011 12:22 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Airtronics Support Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10604094

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz*
adamic39, I got mine from: www.hangtimes.com/txpacks.html and it's about a third of the way down the page. They are a nice looking battery. Frank
Posted on: 7/3/2011 12:20 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Airtronics Support Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10604093

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz*
Well I got my flap/elevator problem squared away this morning. The servo EPA was messed up and wouldn't allow the sevo to travel properly. Zeroed everything according to the manual in the p-f mode and adjusted EPA and my linkage. Seems to be okay now. As far as transmitter batteries go- I got rid of the original and put in a eenloop from Hangtime hobbies and really like it. I played around on the transmitter yesterday for about an hour and was using it off and on for another hour or so toady. Still reads 10.4 volt. They are a little expensive but ,I think, worth it [:)]
Posted on: 7/3/2011 9:24 AM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Airtronics Support Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10603908

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz*
I have the RDS8000 in a Top Flite Stinson reliant and have a flap-elevator mixing problem. When I set up the radio gear I had to reverse the flap throw to get the flaps to work properly,ie, UP,50%, and full. After the test flight we found that some down elevator should be mixed in and following the manual we tried to do it. It appears that with the flap servo reversed you cannot get the elevator down function to work. We reversed the servo throw and changed the control arm on the servo so we could get the full up position and then added EPA to about 68% to get flap from full up to down travel. The problem lies in the fact that I lost the mid function on the flap switch. I'm thinking that we might have went past the servo limits on throws and I'm now totally confused. This is not unusual-LOL. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Frank
Posted on: 7/2/2011 1:34 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Airtronics Support Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10602943

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz*
Thanks BelAirBob and parpar1 for your expertise. Seems like the manual should have stated something about this but having knowledgable help on the forums is a great benefit to us modellers. I have used Airtronics radios in my models since the early 80's but strayed to Spektrum for about a year.I still use an RD6000 but decided to sell the DX7 and go RDS8000. I'll feel more secure now knowing the correct procedure for a thorough range check. Thanks again. Frank
Posted on: 6/12/2011 1:30 AM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Airtronics Support Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10569186

RE: *Airtronics RD8000 2.4 GHz*
Hi all. I have a question concerning Range Checking the RDS8000 with the engine running and reciever on. Is there a way to do this? I understand the normal range check but it would be nice on new setups to be able to range check the system when your gas engine is running and be sure there is no interference from ignition modules. Thanks Frank
Posted on: 6/11/2011 3:21 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Airtronics Support Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10568502

RE: Making ribs for a tapered wing
Compufoil is the way to go. Makes all types of ribs as big as you want. Go to Compufoil.com Frank
Posted on: 5/13/2011 3:30 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10518179

RE: WHAT HAPPENED TO 12 MINUTE EPOXY????
I have used Devcon epoxy for years and mainly because finishing resins will cure over it. I just emailed Devcon aka ITW Consumer about their one ounce tube dispenser epoxies. It seems that I can never get the resin to come out of the tubes in equal amounts. My remedy- cut the tubes apart in the band saw and dispense each one seperatly. Works like a champ. Now if they would get new caps I'd be happy. Frank
Posted on: 1/14/2011 5:34 AM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10262404

RE: Great Planes Slot Machine
I use a metal nail file which I cut to fit in an Xcato knife handle. I make it about an inch long and grind/file a chisel edge on it. It works great on the small and larger 1/4 scale size hinges. Frank
Posted on: 12/30/2010 3:01 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10228142

RE: Pick your favorite Myth:
Pilot who fly upside down have cracky up!! Now that's a myth. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Frank
Posted on: 11/24/2010 10:19 AM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10156431

RE: prop and fingers don`t mix
I learned my lesson in the mid 60's when I got slapped by an OS .19 from the backside. The one I thought that took the cake was a fellow in the club tried to flick off a gnat on the carb while the engine was running at a fairly good clip. He ended up with a mess of stitches and some real bad ribbings. Frank
Posted on: 7/24/2010 1:06 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9885342

RE: Pica Spitfire 1/5 scale HELP!!
I was messing around on the AMA website, www.modelaircraft.org, and happened into the plans site. There is a Spitfire plan for the 88" Pica Spitfire available from them for a whopping $57.00. There's some other spitfire plans available. Thanks to spitfire7856 mine is coming along albeit slowly.
Posted on: 5/13/2009 6:50 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8766567

RE: Pica Spitfire 1/5 scale HELP!!
I just got a box full of Pica Spitfire pieces and a partially built fuselage. It appears that all the plastic parts are there and most of the sheeting but the balsa ribs are missing. I did get the instruction manual with the yellow/orange addendums. The plans for the wing are missing and I am in dire need of a set. Does anyone have a set who is willing to copy them for me? I am willing to pay any reasonable amount. Please email me. Frank Smith
Posted on: 3/13/2009 3:24 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8574373

RE: TF Piper Arrow II kit - who's building it?
I just painted the metallic red on my tail cone and found a product in Walmart that matches awful close. For those interested, it's the Dupli-Color Import Auto Spray for the Nissan, Cherry Red Pearl Metallic spray #88-00570. I used it and then hit it with TF Clear gloss.
Posted on: 1/16/2006 5:22 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3783212

RE: TF Piper Arrow II kit - who's building it?
I was just on the Tower hobbies site and they now have the Century Retracts listed. Naturally, they are on order.
Posted on: 1/13/2006 7:13 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3771081

RE: TF Piper Arrow II kit - who's building it?
For some reason Robart and Tower seem to have a problem getting retracts for the Top Flite Piper Arrow kit and a lot of other kits. I have had mine on order since October. I emailed Century Jet Models and got a reply from Bruce Sanders. He has the complete retract set for the TF Arrow and sells them for $360.00 and with a real good warranty. The part number he gave me is: 39925.
Posted on: 1/12/2006 3:30 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3766080

RE: Drawing your own plans using plastic models
Hi c-grain. I think Mike Beaulieu has a set of plans for the PV on his web site. It's 103" span. Go to www.scalercmodels.com and check it out. If not listed give him a call. He has excellent drawings as he use to do them for Scale RC modeller magazine. Frank Smith
Posted on: 11/13/2005 12:07 PM by Author "smithfj" in the forum "Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3547885