Cox Control Line Handle

ian1954 Sun Mar 16, 2014 2:22 pm

Well the weather here is getting better and the ground is hardening up. About time too!

So it will soon be time to try my hand again at CL. I have searched high and low and can't find my control line handles - I have (somewhere) three of them. Never thought I would use them again so I have put them in a "safe" place.

Anyway, in the Wizard topic, it was suggested that for a "born again" control liner returning after 30 years the Wizard would be best dealt with by 35' lines and after about 5 minutes, when I realise that I am an ace stunt/flyer and am cheerfully looping the loop ( I can wishfully think!) then I would want to go to 42'.

I procured some Brodak 42' lines but couldn't bring myself to hack 7' off them

Then I saw a Cox Handle on Ebay. The chap selling it described it as well used, in need of a good clean as it was dirty and oily. It also had paint on it. However, it had winding handles with line storage built in and could be set at variable line lengths.

That's the job I though.

It duly arrived, exactly, as described but ............

Cox Control Line Handle Cox_ha10

The handles were stiff to turn and after a while the lines tangled themselves up while unwinding

Cox Control Line Handle Cox_ha11

It took a while to untangle the tangle, clean them up, free up sticking plastic but it had some nice features.

Cox Control Line Handle Cox_ha12

It is all cleaned and lubricated now - new lines loaded up, locking mechanism restored - not perfect but it looks like it will do the job. Any line length from 3" to 45'. (The lines were longer than 42')

Cox Control Line Handle Cox_ha13

**Cribbs74** Sun Mar 16, 2014 4:00 pm

Don't think I have seen a thimble drome handle like that Ian. What's the line spacing?

batjac Sun Mar 16, 2014 4:31 pm

Hey, Ian. I have one of those handles, too. I keep thinking I'll try it sometime, but the counter rotating cranks seem like they're too much of a hassle to wind back up after use. The only thing I like about the principle is that you could make paint marks on the leads so that you know when the lines are 30', 35', 42', 45', or whatever. I'm actually on the lookout for an old Cox Skylon handle at a reasonable price. I like the ability to wind up with one crank, and to set different line spacing that the Skylon handles have.

The Counter Culture Mark

ian1954 Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:22 pm

Cribbs74 wrote:Don't think I have seen a thimble drome handle like that Ian. What's the line spacing?

4.24967 " - there or there abouts

**RknRusty** Sun Mar 16, 2014 6:06 pm

ian1954 wrote:
Cribbs74 wrote:Don't think I have seen a thimble drome handle like that Ian. What's the line spacing?

4.24967 " - there or there abouts

Not to put a chill on your warming weather, but that's really wide. A learning CL pilot could have over-control trouble with that. It increases your 2" bellcrank sensitivity to 2:1 movement.
Rusty

Mark Boesen Sun Mar 16, 2014 6:12 pm

These were made by Thimble-Drome for the .15 Comanche or other like size airplanes.

Cox Control Line Handle 61cat410

**Cribbs74** Sun Mar 16, 2014 6:34 pm

That's what I was getting at, though others beat me to it. It can be done, but it would be best to give yourself a fighting chance by using the proper spacing.

Jason_WI Sun Mar 16, 2014 9:57 pm

Skylon reel ending soon. Ebay 181349209679

batjac Sun Mar 16, 2014 10:51 pm

Jason_WI wrote:Skylon reel ending soon. Ebay 181349209679

Thanks, Jason. Hopefully I get this one...

The Hopeful Mark

Jason_WI Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:14 pm

dual crank version

141225472808

Mark Boesen Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:37 am

I've never used one, but think on a smaller .10-.15 size plane would be fun.

ian1954 Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:19 pm

I have been mulling this over and I appreciate the advice regarding the line width at the handle.

I have just spent a while looking for a picture on the interweb of a handle like the ones I can't find. These handles are what I originally started with as a boy (and finished with). All the same just different colours.

They had a spike at the bottom for sticking in the ground and also reminding you which way to hold it.

Cox Control Line Handle Kkhand10

They were all we had and i think they were around four inches. I can't remember any issues handle waggling.

**Cribbs74** Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:38 pm

Ian,

If I was closer I would just throw you a handle as I have plenty. While I don't use them, the regular cox RTF handle will work fine.

If all you want to do for now is fly level the one you have will work. It's when you decide to stunt is where you will find it twitchy.

Usually when one does their first loop they will give full up and hope for the best which your handle will work fine for that too.

A proper spaced handle will allow you to actually fly the plane through maneuvers as opposed to giving it quick jerky inputs.

I used to fly that way myself and then realized later on that the spacing had a big effect on the way I control the thing.

Long story short..... Your handle will work fine for level, but if you have any aspirations to stunt then grab a good handle. I recommend the 1/2A Larry Renger handle as found on the RSM website $10. Another good one is the SIG 1/2A handle. A little cheaper and not as good of quality, but it works well.

Ron

getback Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:47 pm

ian1954 wrote:I have been mulling this over and I appreciate the advice regarding the line width at the handle.

I have just spent a while looking for a picture on the interweb of a handle like the ones I can't find. These handles are what I originally started with as a boy (and finished with). All the same just different colours.

They had a spike at the bottom for sticking in the ground and also reminding you which way to hold it.

They were all we had and i think they were around four inches. I can't remember any issues handle waggling.

man that's pretty wild looking there , I like the thought of daggering it into the ground Devil

just I case the plane takes off before I get there Affraid or WOW!

thanks Eric

getback Wed Mar 19, 2014 6:11 pm

proto of ... Cox Control Line Handle Wp_20189

not finished of coarse just messing around ! soon as its nice I am going to try out the finger handle? if I don't I ll just modify the walnut ones St.Pats Beers

WingingIt74 Wed Mar 19, 2014 8:55 pm

Those look nice man!

Mark Boesen Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:33 pm

[quote="ian1954"]

Cox Control Line Handle Kkhand10

I think those were made by Keilkraft, in your neck of the woods...and you're right contrary to what many people think they weren't made for combat!

getback Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:08 am

there out there seen two on the bay but had ended this is one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KEILKRAFT-CONTROL-LINE-HANDLE-STILL-PACKAGED-1-other-LINE-/360799868905

ian1954 Fri Mar 21, 2014 9:22 am

This handle business is something I never really thought of. I have been doing more research.

The little plasticky sig type handle looks a bit flimsy for me - no real grip. Still can't find my originals.

Any way - came across this site

http://www.clacro.de/Seite_handle.htm

This opened up another element - Overhang!

roddie Fri Mar 21, 2014 10:56 am

Not mentioned in this thread yet; is the importance of using a safety-thong on your handle.

Cox Control Line Handle Handle14

Ken Cook Fri Mar 21, 2014 1:46 pm

Roddie, they're my 2 favorite handles you show. The orange Mezjlik handle no longer available is a great handle. This handle is adjustable inflight and a extremely fine choice if your flying combat. The downfall is the cable can fray and is extremely difficult to replace. The other is it can break if stepped on. I've done just that. The line spacing is slightly smaller than a Hot Rock and can really tame over controlled planes. The white handle with the red and blue tape is the Marcus Rodgers handles still available on Ebay. These handles are excellent for 1/2A-.35 size planes. He has customized a few handles for me which I specified line spacing and leadout lengths. These handles are quite strong but I don't care for the adjustment screw. All in all a perfect choice for 1/2A. Ken

**Cribbs74** Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:49 pm

I like that orange one quite a bit.

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