Hinge Replacement???

[Badger7196]

I am changing the color scheme on 37.5% TOC Yak 54. My question is; which is the preferred method of removing the control surfaces for recovering??

At this point, I think there are 2 options, remove and re-hinge in different locations or drive the pins out of the hinge and replace. Who has thoughts on this and give me others if possible.
I think both have there draw backs; option one could damage leading or trailing edges due to the epoxy, option two could damage a finger and other items attached to the body.

Anyone in the FL area that does fiberglass cowl repainting without adding a ton of weight?


Thanks for any help on this....

[MODE 1]

Hey Badger

If your talking about the Robart type barbed hinges then to remove them is simple. However you dont have to remove hinges to cover. Just cut small 'V' cuts in the covering where they wrap around the hinge.
if you still intend removing the hinge then do the following:

1. You need to cut the hinges with either a knife or a thin hacksaw blade right at the pin location.
2. Separate the surface from the wing.
3. Select a thin brass tube that is JUST large enough to fit the hinge inside. Sharpen the tube edge with a file and cut some random teeth in the edge to get better cutting speed.
4. Put the tube in a pistol drill and GENTLY core out the old hinge but DO NOT add too much pressure or the hinge segment may fall into the wing and be difficult to get out if its the sheeted area.
5. If all goes well the tube should finish cutting and contain the old hinge inside.
Replacing new hinges in the same location is fine. If the hole is slightly too large you can fill it with hard balsa dowel and re drill to suit.

[Patrick H]

I read it somewhere that robart style hinges can be removed effectively wit ha soldering iron after they have been cut and surfaces separated.

[luv2flyguy]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Patrick H
	I read it somewhere that robart style hinges can be removed effectively wit ha soldering iron after they have been cut and surfaces separated.

Yes this is a good method, cut the hinge and seperate the surface, take a soldering pencil and you can melt the hinge out of the hole and clean up the rest with a small bit, fast and easy.

[bill hatcher]

If I am not mistaken the TOC planes use a flat plastic hinge. What I would try to do is remove the pins and leave the hinge halfs in place. After you get them all out see if you can run a music wire through all of them at once. If you can then just recover and put the music wire in as the hinge pin. If they don't line up well enough just move the hinge location over at each hinge and re-hinge. I do remember some of the TOC planes that came with a hinge pin like this for the rudders.

hope this helps

Bill Hatcher
Troy Built Models

[luv2flyguy]

Hey Bill- Are you back at TBM?

[Badger7196]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Hey Bill you are right about the flat hinges and I believe I am going to leave the hinges in place and simply cover over the entire surface and slice the covering down the hinge line and fold and iron the covering down into the angles to finish the covering and then lay in a strip that I would normally use to seal the hinge line but in fact be part of the paint scheme. I think I will be better off leaving everything hinged...as a friend of mine came over last night and said "if it's not broke, don't fix it" I like that idea...thanks again guys...BTW the core drill idea for the Robart hinges is a great idea and never thought of that one, unfortunately I have the flat plastic hinges that Bill speaks of…

[Superrmario]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MODE 1
	Hey Badger If your talking about the Robart type barbed hinges then to remove them is simple. However you dont have to remove hinges to cover. Just cut small 'V' cuts in the covering where they wrap around the hinge. if you still intend removing the hinge then do the following: 1. You need to cut the hinges with either a knife or a thin hacksaw blade right at the pin location. 2. Separate the surface from the wing. 3. Select a thin brass tube that is JUST large enough to fit the hinge inside. Sharpen the tube edge with a file and cut some random teeth in the edge to get better cutting speed. 4. Put the tube in a pistol drill and GENTLY core out the old hinge but DO NOT add too much pressure or the hinge segment may fall into the wing and be difficult to get out if its the sheeted area. 5. If all goes well the tube should finish cutting and contain the old hinge inside. Replacing new hinges in the same location is fine. If the hole is slightly too large you can fill it with hard balsa dowel and re drill to suit.

Great info, and I am glad I searched this thread. I am recovering my 28% and have Robart Pins. I think I may just do the V cut like you said. But can you happen to provide a picture if you have one? I jsut want to make sure I am doing it correctly.

My Hinges are solid, and really dont want to cut them out, but NEVER thought of the sharp brass toothed idea. Seems like a bad dream to a hinge.

[MODE 1]

You honestly need a pic of a V cut in some covering edge ?????

I'll do it if you buy me some rolls of covering then

[Superrmario]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MODE 1
	You honestly need a pic of a V cut in some covering edge ????? I'll do it if you buy me some rolls of covering then

LMAO...

I had a FUBAR in my brain. I had to visulize it a bit. Never mind. LMAO.

[DR10044]

I have covered over both flat and robart style hinges. A lot less work to take your time covering around the hinges than cutting them out and having to reinstall! Just take your time.

	Quote: Originally Posted by Badger7196
	Thanks for all the advice guys. Hey Bill you are right about the flat hinges and I believe I am going to leave the hinges in place and simply cover over the entire surface and slice the covering down the hinge line and fold and iron the covering down into the angles to finish the covering and then lay in a strip that I would normally use to seal the hinge line but in fact be part of the paint scheme. I think I will be better off leaving everything hinged...as a friend of mine came over last night and said "if it's not broke, don't fix it" I like that idea...thanks again guys...BTW the core drill idea for the Robart hinges is a great idea and never thought of that one, unfortunately I have the flat plastic hinges that Bill speaks of…

[Chuchuf]

But for a minute lets suppose that I want to replace the flat hinges on my 30% Yak because I bought the plane used and don't trust the previous owners abilities to put the hinges in properly (the rudder came undone at the hinges when I yanked on it when I first got the plane, so I pinned all the hinges just to be safe)

What is the best way to remove flat hinges?? Cut them off? Cut them out somehow??
And what are the preferred hinges to use as replacements??

Thanks

[JoeAirPort]

Just cut them flush. Cut new slots on both sides and re-install new hinges. There's a nice tool for cutting slots. I borrowed it from my buddy. Great planes hinge slot tool?

[louu]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Chuchuf
	But for a minute lets suppose that I want to replace the flat hinges on my 30% Yak because I bought the plane used and don't trust the previous owners abilities to put the hinges in properly (the rudder came undone at the hinges when I yanked on it when I first got the plane, so I pinned all the hinges just to be safe) What is the best way to remove flat hinges?? Cut them off? Cut them out somehow?? And what are the preferred hinges to use as replacements?? Thanks

i just had the same problem on my quique yaks' stab so i pulled the pins out of the flat hinges, took off the elevaders, used a #11 xacto blade and cut the hinge out. then i filled the holes with 30 min. epoxy. then i used the "robart hinge pin drill jig" its about $6 and it helps you drill new holes straight and centered on the surfaces.
i used gorilla glue to put in the new pin hinges but imm not too shure about that stuff, it seemed kinda brittle, but then again most everybody else uses that stuff and it works so imm not too worried about it.
also dont forget to use some sandpaper to rough up the pin hinges and clean them off with rubbing alcohol.

[Chuchuf]

Thanks guys. Any particular hinge you recommend?

Terry