Handles - Show us what ya got.....

Show us some pictures of your best HOME made flight handles.

I don't yet have one of those fancy digital cameras that plug into the computer, so can't show my favorite handle.

Besides, after all the bad things people are saying about handles with flex cable attached (vs. hard point connections), I wouldn't show mine anyway. My favorite handle is made from two pieces of plexiglass glued together, so it is about 1/2" thick. I like to fly with the handle perfectly vertical (no bias). The cable is secured at the back clamped under a 4-40 screw and washer tapped into the plastic. Nothing fancy, but it looks nice.
Floyd

Hi; Heres one of mine. Overhang is adjustable. Dimensions are re HOT ROCK .Connectors are marked in millimeters to make adjusting easier. I love making handles. and have many experimental designs. . Keith Varley Re; ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED STUNT TEAM

I guess I havent figured out how to attach it Sorry Keith V

I just made this new handle. I copied it from one of our club member who bought a pro-handle kit from Ted Fancher a few weeks ago.

I contoured it to fit my hands and added a tennes grop to it.

Here's mine, ala Hot Rock out of Walnut, EZ Just out of Cedar Elm.

Isn't the Toledo meat scale cool? Have to balance planes on their noses...

Tools

I have seen a few handles with adjustments to space the lines appart?? Why would you need to adjust the space between the lines?
Thanks

Paul,

>>Why would you need to adjust the space between the lines?<<

Mainly for control sensitivity. The closer together the lines are at the handle, the more movement it takes to move the control surfaces of the plane. So the closer together, the "deader" the the feel (to an extent). Great way to adjust if the plane turns too tightly or you overcontrol corners. Of course, there are a lot of other factors involved, but I've had planes go from pretty good to great by adjusting the line spacing.

I've posted it here before, but here's mine too.

this is my last attempt to post my nice new pic of my newest handle. Keith V

Keith,
I think your file need to have a JPG estension, which mean the file name must have a .JPG at the end. What name are your saving the pictures? Also, the size has to be less than 50K.

One more try Keith

> One more try Keith

Keith emailed me his pic. It said it was a ".JPE" file, which I have never heard of, so I figured it was a jpeg, which is correctly abbreviated as ".jpg". I took Keith's picture, changed the name and file type, and here it is, I hope. Steve

LAST EDITED ON Jan-07-04 AT 00:18 AM (CDT)
 
Steve,

.jpe is a common Windows contraction of .jpeg files. Often happens when a photo is processed in Linux or Mac and the actual file name extension is appended: .jpeg

Strangely, most software recognizes this.

Randy Powell

Edit: Forgot to say that some Windows software will actually do this on purpose. It's a throwback to the days of FAT 8.3 naming conventions.

Wow Randy,
That is one nice handle!
I understand now why the lines have to be spaced.
Thanks
Paul

Is that...handle made in Sicily?

Paul and Ion,

I actually made the thing so that I could put my 1st and 4th finger into the holes to give some leverage when applying control. Works OK, but isn't as confortable as I'd hoped. So I'm working on another for next season with some modifications.

This is the modified handle I have used for years.

LAST EDITED ON Apr-04-04 AT 11:13 PM (CDT)
 
I used one of those yellow Sullivan handles in Combat for years. I think Howard stepped on the last one.. Started using a Magnum after that.

Someday I'll post a picture of my new F2D hardpoint handle. Very simple - 3 layers of 3mm plywood, a piece of wire (1/16" steel brazing rod) embedded in the middle layer, with two loops sticking out, where the line connectors go. Simple, strong, no adjustments (we don't need no steenking adjustments).

I plan to make a couple more, this time with 4" spacing instead of 3.5".

Randy I couldn't agree more. I have been playing with various handles lately and I'm amazed how sensitive line spacing adjustments really are. You don't have to make a big adjustment at the handle to really feel a big difference.

Here's mine--combination handle and line reel.

>Here's mine--combination handle and line reel.
Now that's COOL

Dangerous subject matter here. Before you know it we will have people demanding a apology.....

Bill

I build more planes than I fly, collect more engines than I'll ever use. That about says it, right?

I have LARGE hands and every time I pick up someone elses handle it almost always feels too dinky. I liked the feel of an "E-Z-Just". I liked the ease of neutral adjust that it had. But, it was way wide on line spacing and I knew I needed an adjustable spacing option. SO, behold,, A soft point, adjustable neutral position, variable line spacing,comfy feelin'handle.

Rog,

What a neat idea! How's the saying go, copying is the sincerest form of flattery? Considered yourself flattered.

LAST EDITED ON Apr-07-04 AT 01:26 AM (CDT)
 
>Rog,
>
>What a neat idea! How's the saying go, copying is the
>sincerest form of flattery? Considered yourself flattered.
>
>
>Tom

If you would like, I would send you the sketches I used with dimensions plus the latest revised ideas. Email me if you have questions...

This handle was made by Gary Minor of Amarillo, TX and given to me as a gift. Black Walnut, Adjustable line spacing, in flight neutral adjustment. Gary is a long time shop teacher (retired) and does beautiful work IMHO

Lots of creativity shown on this thread, that's cool.

But what's the deal with all these heavy, cumbersome handles with do-it-all features incorporated? And why so much emphasis upon cabled handles?

Tell ya what, when it comes to CL handles, I have always thought the simplest, most elegant design to be the best. And not by any small margin.

Actually went a good distance in that direction with handles of my own design for a few years, finally swallowing my pride and admitted that Ted had done everything just a little bit better, plus his kits offered the opportunity to get each handle much closer to the others.

Look, y'all can use anything ya want for a CL handle, including a roll-top desk. But don't make any long-term decisions until you fly a properly trimmed CL Stunt model with a *light* handle which has minimal overhang, is of the hard-point configuration and offers adjustable spacing.

LAST EDITED ON Apr-07-04 AT 09:37 PM (CDT)
 
The first handle is fully in flight adjustable I ripped off that design from Gordan Delaney about 7 years ago it works ok for test flights and to get in the ball park but it is to heavy. The red and blue handle is the one that I like the best I just make up the front bar when I need a differant line spacing.The third photo shows my ground wire that helps with the static electricty. The forth photo shows how I hook my lines to the reel so that the ends do not get bent and have chance to break.

I,ve found; The more you practice the better the handle works and the plane flies.
Or as John Simpson says "" Better flight scores are found in the bottom of the fuel can"

All adjustable.

Good Flying

Tony,

Now that's pretty cool.

Tony

How did you mold the grip? Or is this some pre-fab product? What kind of plastic material?

Ewwww, it's Yellow and has too much overhang, Ewwww!!!!

If only it was a purty Red like MINE.

Oh well, we can't all be purfct!

>Tony
>
>How did you mold the grip? Or is this some pre-fab product?
> What kind of plastic material?
>
>Curt

The handle is moulded around a 5/8" dia Ali tube, I used a Polyester type wood filler, and just grabbed the handle wearing a surgical latex glove till it felt 'right'then trimmed off the excess. Works well, but do not 'over catalylize' the filler!! dun arf get hot..!!

Good Flying

Two that have not been shown....on the top is a "Windy" handle, aka the "Fifth Placer"
Below it is a handle that Jim Hunt used to produce....I believe that Bob used one to win his Nats viscoties and his WC?

See Ya