weights

ncmay

Member since
December 2002
From: USA

weights

Posted by ncmay on Monday, May 19, 2003 9:47 AM

does anyone have any recommendations on weights to hold the nose down on aircraft with tri-cycle landing gear? I've tried several different methods (BB's, Epoxy, lead weights, etc.) and none of them so far seem to be just the right fix. Question [?]

Butch

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 19, 2003 11:04 AM

take a look at this forum
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2988
There's some good ideas here

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 19, 2003 11:17 AM

BB's n' Elmers glue have always been reliable for me.

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eaglecentral

Member since
February 2016

Posted by eaglecentral on Monday, May 19, 2003 12:14 PM

I've always been a BB and superglue man myself. If you need a more dense/smaller unit to work with, go down to your local gun store and buy a bag of birdshot. The shot is smaller than BB's, so more will fit into the same space. You'll get a lifetime supply for about $20.

Tom

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 19, 2003 1:43 PM

Butch:
Being from West MI. and raised with Hollanders I have a different approch. When at the tire store ask the tire person for some old tire weights.Clip or saw off the ends, depending on hand strength,being careful not to ingest the lead. Throw away clip part. Add as much as you need, to keep nose down, to hidden cavities of the model. I use Walthers Goo from the Model Railroading section but any thick adhesive that doesn't melt plastic will do. Cheap and easy!
Chief John

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 12:39 PM

I have a bottle of split weights used for fishing, but as stated above bird shot is goods too. I have considered using sand mixed with white glue, but have yet to try it.

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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jridge

Member since
April 2003
From: West Des Moines, IA USA

Posted by jridge on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 12:47 PM

To eliminate the guess work, I use Terry Dean's nose weights. Do a search on www.google.com for "nose weights" to see some of his products and reviews and get his e-mail address. His prices are super reasonable. Plus, he's great to work with. The weights are designed to be completely hidden. So, you don't have to worry about how the model will be displayed.

Jim The fate of the Chambermaid http://30thbg.1hwy.com/38thBS.html

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 7:18 PM

try molding resin into the nose cone then pour silicon over top then pour solid lead into the mold

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 12:11 AM

Fishing weights and BB's with Elmer's has worked for me so far without problems. - Ed

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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wayne baker

Member since
February 2003
From: Medina, Ohio

Posted by wayne baker on Thursday, May 22, 2003 1:53 PM

I got a margarine tube full of #6 shot from a sporting goods store and mix it with 5 minute epoxy. it's small enough to fit in tight places and shapes itself. No cutting or messing. I put it in cowls, the nose, any where forward of the main gear. I also put it in the armor I build, so they don't feel like toys.

I may get so drunk, I have to crawl home. But dammit, I'll crawl like a Marine.

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John P

Member since
February 2003
From: Joisey

Posted by John P on Thursday, May 22, 2003 2:53 PM

I either pour in some skeet shot and seal it with superglue, or I glue a few bullets (just the lead part) (I used to reload and have leftover components) into the forward fuselage. 55gr. .223 boatial FMJs fit into most places, 240 gr. .44 JHPs will weigh just about anything down. :)

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 29, 2003 9:45 PM

i had a suggestion to get the tire weights that have an adhesive backing...they are for aluminum wheels i believe. I stopped by a tire shop today, and got two strips...cost me a buck. the strips were scored in 1/2 oz increments...looks like it will be really easy to use.

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Lufbery

Member since
December 2002
From: Harrisburg, PA

Posted by Lufbery on Friday, May 30, 2003 8:51 AM

How do you guys make sure the landing gear can take the weight? Have any of you had gear collapse or distort over time?

Regards,

-Drew

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

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gregers

Member since
February 2003
From: UK

Posted by gregers on Friday, May 30, 2003 9:09 AM

Only ever had one collapse on me That was a DC6 and it was my fault for putting too much weight in. Glad you managed to get gold of some of those wheel weights Huskerguy i have used them for quite a while now and never had any problems with them. Gregers

Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?

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John P

Member since
February 2003
From: Joisey

Posted by John P on Friday, May 30, 2003 10:19 AM

I really never had any gear collapse on me, but I do worry about the resin kits. Resin landing legs are not very strong.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 30, 2003 7:31 PM

i am having all kinds of problems with both the nose gear and the main gear on my P-61. Once they break off, it is really hard to get them glued back strong enough that they will hold.

Thanks again, Gregers, for the tip on the adhesive wheel weights...it is pretty neat the way they are scored, so you know exactly how much weight you have.

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FreedomEagle1953

Member since
December 2012

Posted by FreedomEagle1953 on Friday, May 30, 2003 9:59 PM

I place a vote for BB's (or lead shot) and Elmer's White glue ... but, in some kits ... watch out that you don't get the nose TOO heavy ... you just might cause that nose gear to break or bend ... not a great look eh? Sad [:(]

FreedomEagle1953

Chicago, IL area

"keep on building 'em ... but don't glue your fingers together"

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gregers

Member since
February 2003
From: UK

Posted by gregers on Saturday, May 31, 2003 1:42 PM

Hi Huskerguy The way i repaired the nose gear on my DC6 was i made a new leg for it out of steel rod with brass tube sleeved over it, the rod ran the length of the leg and i drilled a (very) small hole in the top of the u/c fork and stuck the rod into this with epoxy glue hope this helps. i got the rod and tube from a model railway shop...Gregers

Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 31, 2003 3:04 PM

Well, the best ballast is no ballast at all!
MODEL YOUR PLANES WITH THE LANDING GEAR UP!! GEAR DOWN PLANES ARE SIN!!!

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gregers

Member since
February 2003
From: UK

Posted by gregers on Saturday, May 31, 2003 4:47 PM

Just been doing a bit of D.I.Y. and had an idea that self adhesive stuff for doing leaded windows should make good nose weight and at £12 for 60 MTRS its cheap and it'll last a lifetime...Gregers

Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?

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