RE: Prop balancing.
When I ran into this problem I just ground down the points of the cones so they would not touch.
Posted on: 9/8/2012 5:25 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11222173

RE: RE:
Don't get Locktitie anywhere near plastic or nylon. It will turn it into a crumbling mess. I know, I used Great Planes Blue on a nylon motor mount for a E-flite Apprentice. I just used it on the metal screws and nuts that went thru the mount. The next morning my motor had literally fallen off the plane and onto my work bench. The thread locker had turned the plastic into crumbling nothing.
Posted on: 9/4/2012 3:40 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11217512

RE: need help on a dx7s
With my DX7 (not S) it will beep about every 10 seconds if it is set up for trainer and the cable is not plugged in.
Posted on: 8/21/2012 11:47 AM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11201063

RE: Another hinge question
I built the same plane last winter. CA hinges are fine for that plane. It's a light weight plane which will not get allot of stess on the hinges. I did go with a different brand of CA hinge, because I didn't like the ones that came with the kit. They were a plastic material with a plastic mesh on both sides. I test fit them and found them diffecult to shove into a tight slot, because the mesh would pull away from the plastic inner material. I think I used DuBro hinge material.
Posted on: 8/21/2012 11:43 AM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11201058

RE: Canopy tinting question
Use Tamiya spray number TS-71 (smoke). Works great if you do it right. Mosy hobby shops carry it. 1. Wash the canopy with dishsoap and water real good. This is very important to get a good even result. You have to get off the release agent that is still on a new canopy after it is made. You can't see it, but it's there. If you do not get the release agent off you will end up with a splotchy job. This is important no matter which product or method you use. 2. When spraying avoid the temptation to put to much on at once. Go with very very very light coats and you will be a happy camper.
Posted on: 8/13/2012 2:23 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11192023

RE: Hobbico digital meter
I have a 356 and the red wire is soldered into the board right next to the black wire. Very very close to each other.
Posted on: 8/8/2012 6:57 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11186304

RE: Charging and balancing Life Batt with taking plane apart at Field?
With a fully charged Life you can get allot of flights. You can charge them in your plane and if you want to balance without taking your plane apart just install the balance jack into the side of your plane. Just add a balance extension to the battery balance plug and find a suitable mounting plate and mount it next to the main charge jack. Here is a pic of my Sig Hog Bipe that I never take apart. The balance jack has a rubber cap over it to keep out the dirt and oil.
Posted on: 8/6/2012 6:27 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11183509

RE: brushless question
Why magnets? I would consider using something else. I would not like magnets surrounding my motor. If the outer can of the brushless is all aluminum it shouldn't be a problem, but if there is any metal in the can it could cause some lose of efficiency.
Posted on: 7/27/2012 5:32 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11171717

RE: Film Trim iron - Soldering iron
Why not just buy a trim iron? They are cheap
Posted on: 7/24/2012 5:39 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11167913

RE: Wing Bolts Help
I have even used the nylon washers you get with toilet hold down bolt kits. They have a hole smaller than the 1/4 x 20 threads, and there are slits that allow you to push the washer over the threads.
Posted on: 7/20/2012 7:37 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11163092

neat tip from an old timer
Thought I would share this tip I got from an old timer at the field the other day. When building from a kit you have to punch out the parts from the balsa or plywood parts frames. Try not to break apart the framing sheeting around the parts as you punch them out. Even if you have to do a little cutting to free the parts, try to keep the parts sheet intact. Save all the left over wood and put it back into the box the kit came from. Why? Later if you would like to build another one of that particular model, all you have to do is use the parts sheets (with the parts now missing) to trace the parts onto your new balsa or ply sheeting. I have built planes from scratch using a set of plans and thought ,WOW, this would have saved allot of time.
Posted on: 7/20/2012 12:19 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Tips & Techniques"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11162676

RE: Wing Bolts Help
I keep all my wing bolts in the wing by pushing "O" rings onto the threads on the inside of the wing. I can unscrew the bolts and they don't fall out because the "O" ring keeps the bolt from falling out.
Posted on: 7/19/2012 7:24 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161896

RE: Micro switch
Check out Radio Shack on line. They have a few "sum mini" switches. Here is an example. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12708878
Posted on: 7/19/2012 7:11 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161876

RE: Spectrum DX7 ?
Yes, you can reset each model memory to factory defaults. Called "Data reset" in the radio. First go to and select the model number you want to reset. Then turn off the TX. Proceed as follows 1. press the "down" and "select" keys simultaneously then turn on the TX. 2. press the "up" or "down" key until you see "model reset" on the screen. 3. use the "select" key to select "data reset". 4. When "data reset" is selected, pressing the "clear" key will reset the data to the factory default settings for that model. Remember, you must first turn on your TX selecting a model just as if you were going to fly that model. Then turn the TX off and start with step number 1. You must do a "data reset" for each model memory. I don't know of any way to reset the whole radio with one procedure.
Posted on: 7/19/2012 7:00 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11161860

RE: Advice on a new plane
At 100 watts per pound it will certainly fly, but it isen't going to tear up the skys. I would go with the 3s and if your not satisfied with the performance then get some 4s batts.
Posted on: 7/18/2012 8:31 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Electric Training"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11160645

RE: DX7 dual rate
[quote]ORIGINAL: goirish the word should have been ''now'' instead of ''not'' [/quote] Amazing how one little letter in a whole sentence has a completely different meaning. Glad you figured it out.
Posted on: 7/18/2012 8:18 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11160634

RE: Lipo Question 2 x 3S in series or 1 x 4S?
2 x 3s (11.1 volts) 5000 mah = 22.2 volts 5000 mah. In series volts add and mah stays the same. versus 1 x 4s (14.8 volts) 5000 mah If your motor is rated for the 22.2 volts the 2 x 3s will give you more power with a shorter run time. the 1 x 4s will give you less power with longer run time. It's like running a 6 cylinder engine on a 20 gallon tank or a 8 cylinder engine on the same 20 gallon tank.
Posted on: 7/18/2012 8:11 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11160632

RE: DX7 dual rate
Not sure what you mean. You say you "set the low at 50%, then flip the switch and set the high at 100%. When you flip back to low it's not at 100%." It won't be 100%. Low will be 50%. ??
Posted on: 7/17/2012 8:29 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11159436

RE: Are these planes considered parkflyers?
The AMA considers a park flier to be no more than two pounds and speed less than 60 mph. Allot depends on how experienced you are. A good pilot can fly in smaller areas because of his experience. I started with a foam E-Flite Apprentice which is around 3 lbs. and I can fly it in an area about the size of a baseball field. But that is not flying like you would normally want to do with a plane of that size. It would be just making circles. The other and most important issue, is how safely you can fly in that area. If you are going to be flying over areas with people below, don't fly a plane that can hurt someone if you lose control. A 3 lb plane falling from the sky can do some damage if it hits someone. Sounds like you have not yet been there. If you looked it up on Google Earth you can use the "scale" application at the top of the page to measure the field while in Google Earth.
Posted on: 7/14/2012 5:23 AM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11154708

RE: prop reamer
[quote]ORIGINAL: WhiteRook ive got a Q100B and it uses a 9/16 prop bolt , i havent seen a reamer that size, i think its a canadian engine so it might be metric . what now? [/quote] Thats a big shaft! Electrical supply shops have pipe reamers that go to around 2 inches, but those would have to steep an angle for our props. If you could find a round file big enough you could chuck that into a drill motor and use that the same as you would a tapered reamer. Most round files are tapered.
Posted on: 7/14/2012 4:58 AM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11154693

RE: Painting Question
Top Flight LustreKote. http://www.monokote.com/lustrekote/lustrekote.html
Posted on: 7/13/2012 6:34 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11154399

RE: prop reamer
Throw your step reamers in the trash and get yourself a tapered reamer. You only need one reamer and you can sharpen it without changing the diameter. Try sharpening a step reamer. It changes the step diameter. Even APC Props says to use a tapered reamer. Ream from the front until your prop fits your shaft. Always ream from the front because the rear hole is the hole the manufacturer centers. Go here to APC Props and read the section called "engine shaft hole alignment" http://www.apcprop.com/v/html/tech_support_notice.html#holealign
Posted on: 7/13/2012 6:30 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11154394

RE: First time using lipo batterys need help
If your battery is that low, your charger may not recognize the battery. Not familiar with your charger, but it may give you a "voltage error" indication. It may not allow you to start the charge until the voltage is up to a certain level. If this happens, you can charge the battery under a different battery type to get the voltage up to a point where the charger will recognize it. I don't know that exact procedure, but I'm sure someone will chime in and tell you haw it is done safely.
Posted on: 6/25/2012 4:48 AM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11130737

RE: OS 91 FS sometimes run backwards
AAAAHHHH, It's very interesting that you say that. I noticed today that when I prime the engine by covering the muffler outlet and cranking five or six turns fuel would run out of the muffler. Could I be choking to much? I have never heard of this before, but I will certainly give it less prime next time.
Posted on: 6/22/2012 9:01 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11128434

OS 91 FS sometimes run backwards
Got a quick question. OS FS 91 Surpass. Not new, so it's not break in. Has been starting fine with one counterclockwise flip. Has been, and is, running great. Today it started in reverse about five times. When it did start correctly it ran very good. Would this be caused by too rich or too lean? I usually run my engines a couple of hundred RPMs rich. Thanks Tom
Posted on: 6/22/2012 3:16 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11128128

RE: A123 batteries and Obama
You say "The taxpayers". Don't you mean " Us taxpayers" ? Unless of course you are a "collector" and not a "contributor" ??
Posted on: 6/20/2012 5:30 AM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11124910

RE: Unique Charging Situation
I hope your girlfriend doesn't find out about how much trouble you are going through to make sure she always has a charged up VACUUM !!!!! LOL You might find it plugged in somewhere else !!!!
Posted on: 6/20/2012 5:23 AM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11124904

RE: LiFe battery questions.
[quote]ORIGINAL: pilotpete2 You need to cut the signal wire if you're balance charging through the charge jack because the signal wire will have about 3.3V on it from one cell in the battery. The signal wire is the node connection between the two cells. Pete [/quote] Pete, If the signal (node) wire normally comes from the battery, through the switch, and then on to the RX, wouldn't the signal wire still have the 3.3v on it from the battery?
Posted on: 6/20/2012 5:14 AM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11124901

RE: LiFe battery questions.
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH. The light bulb just lit up!! Now I understand what you were saying. " Cut only the sig wire [b]to the RX[/b]". The only thing you will not be able to do is to bind your RX and TX from the charge jack, if you are using Spektrum. This is no big deal unless you need to rebind for some reason. Why do some switch/charge units come with three wires anyway?? Tom
Posted on: 6/20/2012 5:08 AM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11124894

RE: LiFe battery questions.
I'm still missing something. If I have a three wire switch/charge jack on the side of my plane and I cut the signal wire, that would mean I only have two wires going to the charge jack. If I only have two wires going to the charge jack and I plug my charger into that jack, how is that going to balance charge a 2 cell Life pack? If the charger does not see three wires in order to differentiate between the two cells, how is it going to balance the cells. Sorry, but I must be missing something.
Posted on: 6/19/2012 8:07 PM by Author "tacx" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11124628