Can't find these anymore...

RknRusty wrote:.004", boy that's thin line.

Yes it is Rusty! At half the thickness of anything available today (as far as I know...) it's somewhat of a novelty and I've always been afraid to use them; for fear of never being able to replace them. What type lines do you guys fly your 1/2-A's with? I assume it's .008"stranded-stainless  Sig, Brodack or similar? I've been "out of the game" for quite a while.

Normally we use Spectra or Spyderwire. .008 cable is used as well, just not by me at the moment.

Ron

I'm going to make an inquiry to a company in CT, to see if they would sell their 3-strand .004" cable in sm. "prototypical" quantities. They also have 7-strand .006"... in 9 diff. grades of stainless.

Cribbs74 wrote:Normally we use Spectra or Spyderwire.
Ron

Ditto!

andrew

Power Pro in High Vis Yellow!

Phil

I'm curious as to why you would want to use lines of that small diameter. Seeing that you didn't say what your flying, I can only see one use for that size line which would be for 1/4A and smaller.  As it stands, .008's have a short lifespan just trying to even roll them onto the reels. They fail frequently at the termination ends and a lesser diameter is going to obviously have 1/2 of the strength. This makes me think that the stretch factor of .004's would also  increase.  I had line breaks using .008's just using .049 Cox powered equipment. Years back, I switched to .012's and noticed no performance disadvantage, but I did gain the reliability and strength needed to fly. I use both Spectra and stainless. I see disadvantages in both synthetic lines and stainless  and wish there was a product out there that shared both traits of each one of the materials. Not that everyone is a AMA registered pilot, but when topics like this are discussed, is this even a legititmate line size to even use? SInce the most recent rule changes, line size is derived from the weight of the model as opposed to the engine size. I just don't see any line size listed in the regulations smaller than .008 for 1/2 A usage.  It maybe possible I'm not looking in the correct place and I have no idea as to what your use is .  As I mentioned in my opening paragraph, I'm just curious and not trying to rock the boat. Ken

Ken, I don't actually have much flying experience... and haven't flown in YEARS! It's quite possible I'd get dizzy and fall down now...  

On and off over the years; I've enjoyed designing/building and tinkering for the most part. Most of my models; I designed/built myself, and are 1/2A size control line. When/if I flew them; it was with Dacron lines 20-25 ft. in length. Many I've never flown!

Those .004" stainless lines would be a vast improvement over the Dacron (I was told years ago by the guys in the N.E.S.T. club) but there's obviously a reason why they don't make them anymore.

As you stated; even the .008" stainless is fragile. I "personally" have experience with neither... I just want advice on what to use; should I decide to try flying again.

Thanks for your comments,

Roger

Roger, in my opinion the lines you have on hand are totally satisfactory for flying a .020 powered model. I wouldn't fly a .049 model with them. As stated above, most are using Spectra/ Spiderwire for flying lines. Paying importance to the knot at the termination is a must. It needs to be tied a certain way. I fly using 30 lb test of the varieties I mentioned. Some fly with 10 lb test. Again, the difference in line diameter between 10 lb test and 30 is slim and it doesn't shed off performance. I fly combat with them so line tangles and jerks are relevant in my situation and I like the extra insurance that a fly away won't happen. I'm also using high powered .049's. SO for yourself, 10 lb test should be more than suitable. If you choose to fly with stainless, I would highly recommend using .012's as they're not as fragile. Ken

I'm guessing those lines have been around a long time. My guess is that they are solids and not braided. They may also not be stainless. They were probably used mostly for 1/2A speed in the early/mid fifties.

They are probably more collectable than usable.

George

gcb wrote:I'm guessing those lines have been around a long time. My guess is that they are solids and not braided. They may also not be stainless. They were probably used mostly for 1/2A speed in the early/mid fifties.

They are probably more collectable than usable.

George

George, you are correct... I have never had them off the reel (they've been sealed in a bag w/desiccant for 20+ years...) I unpacked and peered in at them w/a magnifying glass... they are solids... and were probably made for the exact use you stated. They are however; very "bright'... whatever metal they're made from. No signs of rust, tarnish or corrosion.

Thanks,
Roger

I use 30# braided Spiderwire or Suffix brands for my 1/2A planes. I go with the 30# for durability and tangle free extended use. Like Ken said, the knot is the important part. Teflon coated line will untie itself in a hurry with the wrong knot. A 5 turn uniknot is specified by the AMA.
http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniques/fishing_knots/knots_uni.html

RknRusty wrote:I use 30# braided Spiderwire or Suffix brands for my 1/2A planes. I go with the 30# for durability and tangle free extended use. Like Ken said, the knot is the important part. Teflon coated line will untie itself in a hurry with the wrong knot. A 5 turn uniknot is specified by the AMA.
http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniques/fishing_knots/knots_uni.html

Thanks a lot Rusty, This is all good info.

roddie wrote:

RknRusty wrote:I use 30# braided Spiderwire or Suffix brands for my 1/2A planes. I go with the 30# for durability and tangle free extended use. Like Ken said, the knot is the important part. Teflon coated line will untie itself in a hurry with the wrong knot. A 5 turn uniknot is specified by the AMA.
http://www.leadertec.com/tipsandtechniques/fishing_knots/knots_uni.html

Thanks a lot Rusty, This is all good info.

Thanks guys... I bought some Spiderwire EZ braid 30# test 110 yds. for $9.00 at my local WalMart yesterday. It's "moss green" colored... hope I don't trip over it in the grass!!!  

I'll be sure to use the "5-turn uni-knot" you suggested... and get myself a good adjustable handle!

Thanks again,
Roger

I ended up getting high vis yellow off Ebay. I really like seeing the lines.

Phil

pkrankow wrote:I ended up getting high vis yellow off Ebay.  I really like seeing the lines.

Phil

Is that the "spiderwire" EZ braid brand in high vis yellow Phil? My only option at WalMart; was the "moss green"....

I am using 'Power Pro" which is a round braid spectra line. I could not obtain "High-Vis" yellow locally, and could not source through any sporting goods stores in reasonable distance.

There are several highly rated domestic sporting good stores on Ebay that carry this product at similar costs to brick and mortar stores, plus shipping.

I have not used "Spider Wire" so my opinion is limited to the irregular cross section of the original product. I have not re-evaluated since 10 years ago when I last re-spooled my fishing rods.

Phil

roddie wrote:

pkrankow wrote:I ended up getting high vis yellow off Ebay.  I really like seeing the lines.

Phil

Is that the "spiderwire" EZ braid brand in high vis yellow Phil? My only option at WalMart; was the "moss green"....

Locally that's usually all you can find. You can find high viz yellow online for pretty cheap.

When I began to learn how to fly control line, I went behind the house into the city park or baseball fields and or the football field in front of our house. My dad taught me as a teen on a Cox PT-19. I continued with a chrome Corsair, Sopwith Camel and I just can't remember the rest of the plastic. I helped start a model airplane/rocket club in high school sponsored by the two teachers in our Airforce ROTC class. The member's donated an equal share/dues toward the purchase of a Cox PT-19, fuel, rubber bands, glow plugs and batteries. To teach each member how to fly, which we did. During this time I built my Sterling Ringmaster. I was elected Pres. I was selected with another couple of the members to go to the out lying eighth grade schools for demonstrations. These students would be attending my highschool the next year thus interest in the AirForce ROTC program . The only time I was ever an AMA member was when I was learning to fly Radio Control as a young married adult. Didn't take long. Started with a Piece of Cake/.049 Golden Bee mode 1 progressed to a .40 Ugly Stick Mode 2 with my Futaba Radio that I did all the wiring. When my membership ran out, I became what I called a BarnStormer. Ballfields, parks and pastures. The pastures made for some ugly/nasty landings. Paper towels and spray cleaner were needed, not just for the spent fuel oil on the wings. I've been reading a lot of the previous threads in different areas and came across this one. As I read, I came upon the reference to spider wire. I thought what? Fishing line? I'll be Danged! I then went to Google for the 5 turn uniknot. Didn't know it had a name. My dad taught me to use seven turns for a fishing hook. But I've got that part. One of the video's on YouTube said that it needed to be a double line to achieve almost 100% of rated burst strength. Now, the 64 thousand $ question, because I do not know where to look within AMA's rules, what is the strength/weight ratio for line to plane requirements. 10 X's the potential weight of the airplane?

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/2013-2014CLGeneral-1.pdf