A word of warning about the RSM Expert Stunt Handle (Hobby Fasteners). When I got my new handle I went to loosen the nut for handle spacing and the screw, through which the wire passes, sheared right off. I talked with Eric at RSM who promptly sent me a new wire assembly, which I installed. He said that this can sometimes happen as the screw can become work hardened and weakened as a result of being drilled through.
Well I just finished my new Brodak Pathfinder, OS La 46 with Macs muffler. Worked on it about 3 months and it was just beautiful and flew better than anything I have flown to date, just awesome! On the fifth flight, at the bottom of the outside loop, the set screw for the RSM handle spacing cracked in two, allowing the spacing to slip, and the plane was totally destroyed! I looked carefully at the screw and I have to conclude that this is a very poorly designed setup. I have noticed that the metal for these screws seems very light and weak, like a light aluminum. When the hole is drilled through the screw the wall thickness of the screw becomes very thin. Also I noticed that the holes are not always exactly on-center, thus leaving one side of the screw very thin and weak.
I would caution anyone using these handles to check them carefully. I would recommend adding a set screw to each side to prevent this or using a different handle entirely.
It would be interesting to know if any others have had this problem. Seems as though this could also be a safety issue.
Losing the ship in this way was really disappointing to say the least. I'm going to hang this sport up for awhile and try something different, just cant afford to spend 3 months on a ship and lose it first time out, not to mention the costs incurred.
Hope this helps anybody else from going through such a loss.
Take care,
Brian
Well I just finished my new Brodak Pathfinder, OS La 46 with Macs muffler. Worked on it about 3 months and it was just beautiful and flew better than anything I have flown to date, just awesome! On the fifth flight, at the bottom of the outside loop, the set screw for the RSM handle spacing cracked in two, allowing the spacing to slip, and the plane was totally destroyed! I looked carefully at the screw and I have to conclude that this is a very poorly designed setup. I have noticed that the metal for these screws seems very light and weak, like a light aluminum. When the hole is drilled through the screw the wall thickness of the screw becomes very thin. Also I noticed that the holes are not always exactly on-center, thus leaving one side of the screw very thin and weak.
I would caution anyone using these handles to check them carefully. I would recommend adding a set screw to each side to prevent this or using a different handle entirely.
It would be interesting to know if any others have had this problem. Seems as though this could also be a safety issue.
Losing the ship in this way was really disappointing to say the least. I'm going to hang this sport up for awhile and try something different, just cant afford to spend 3 months on a ship and lose it first time out, not to mention the costs incurred.
Hope this helps anybody else from going through such a loss.
Take care,
Brian