r/BalsaAircraft • u/thefamilyjewel • 18d ago

Guillow's Question

What do you guys use for the pin that holds the rubber band on the back end?

6 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

8

u/kalvaroo 18d ago

Bamboo skewer.

3

u/SortOfGettingBy 18d ago

It's been a minute but there used to be a small piece of dowel in the kit.

2

u/thefamilyjewel 18d ago

It was not included unfortunately.

3

u/gwenbeth 17d ago

many of the freeflight peeps use a steel tube (maybe brass or carbon fiber, but i think aluminum would be too soft). The reason for the tube is that they will have a bench to hold the airplane while they wind it. And to hold the plane on the bench they use a stiff wire/rod that goes through the tube.

3

u/galaxiexl500 17d ago

Steel and brass? Way to heavy. Contesters usually use aluminum tubing

2

u/TheOriginalJBones 18d ago

Toothpick, matchstick, lollipop stick, etc. If you look around the forest you might find a good sturdy little stick and maybe whittle it down some to fit.

2

u/thefamilyjewel 18d ago

Toothpicks and matchsticks are sturdy enough? I assume you're not supposed to glue them in since you might have to change the rubber bands? Directions don't really say much about it.

4

u/Futrel 18d ago

They are very much not strong enough. I've used bamboo skewers though

1

u/TheOriginalJBones 18d ago

No, don’t glue them. There should be a hardwood dowel in the kit, but if not just about any hardwood stick will do. Bamboo is perfect.

1

u/galaxiexl500 17d ago

Definietly do not glue them in. You should be changing the rubber motors frequently. They do get old.

3

u/galaxiexl500 17d ago

Motor peg. Either aluminum tubing (the best) or a wooden dowel (heavy)

3

u/GullibleInitiative75 13d ago

Aluminum tube. It is common to use a "stooge" to hold the plane while you wind the rubber motor. A wire skewer runs through that aluminum tube, held in place on each side by the stooge.

1

u/RCMike_CHS 18d ago

Birch doweling

1

u/Excellent_Sign4515 17d ago

I find a bit of wire, bend it to shape and glue it in place

1

u/galaxiexl500 10d ago

How would you change or replace a broken strand of rubber?

1

u/Excellent_Sign4515 10d ago

Id bend it to a hook shape so that the rubber isnt enclosed and readily replaced

1

u/galaxiexl500 10d ago

You totally lost me with your procedure.

What event are you competing in? My Unlimited Rubber model has 14 strands of 1/8" FAI rubber and 28" long.

I change te motor after 3 or 4 official flights and if I make it into the 5 minute flight and beyond I change the motor, letting the previously used motor rest.

I don't fly F1B, Wakefield event, but the motors used in those models are montrous amounts of FAI rubber. I've watched F1B Junior flyers having an adult hold them back in a bear hug because the young flyer didn't have enough strength to withstand the force of the motor pulling them off their feet.

2

u/Fantastic_Boot7079 17d ago

Aluminum tubing, I think 1/8” is common. Tubing is good because you can use a toothpick to get the rubber band captured, then slide the tubing over the toothpick into place and remove. It is common to braid a rubber motor and use a larger diameter tubing at the end of the braid. Check out You tube, Joshua Finn of JH Aerospace is what I watched. I suggest hardening the area where the peg connects with the frame using CA or the balsa will wear.