Tufstrand control line

SuperDave wrote:Wilf:

Since the lines are 52 feet long that is limiting factor in their useablity in AMA competition. 60 feet is the standard in the larger classes. Check AMA regulations for further info.

Too long and heavy for 1/2A where lighter daron is more suitable.

Crazy as it seems, inside the packs there is a note that says that these lines are actually 24" shorter than the stated length, in order to avoid the need to shorten them for competition! Why don't they just print the length as 50'? VERY strange.
I'm not about to fly in any competitions, and even if I did, AMA regs don't apply over here.
50' - 52' is more-or-less standard length for flying 2.5 - 3.5cc (15 - 19) which is my main class, what I'm trying to get is some info as to how good these lines are viz-a-viz braided steel, which is what I usually use.

Wilf:

I know! St. Paddy did it!

Ivanhoe wrote:

SuperDave wrote:Wilf:

Since the lines are 52 feet long that is limiting factor in their useablity in AMA competition. 60 feet is the standard in the larger classes. Check AMA regulations for further info.

Too long and heavy for 1/2A where lighter daron is more suitable.

Crazy as it seems, inside the packs there is a note that says that these lines are actually 24" shorter than the stated length, in order to avoid the need to shorten them for competition! Why don't they just print the length as 50'? VERY strange.
I'm not about to fly in any competitions, and even if I did, AMA regs don't apply over here.
50' - 52' is more-or-less standard length for flying 2.5 - 3.5cc (15 - 19) which is my main class, what I'm trying to get is some info as to how good these lines are viz-a-viz braided steel, which is what I usually use.

Gonna put it on a PAW powered plane?

nitroairplane wrote:

Ivanhoe wrote:

SuperDave wrote:Wilf:

Since the lines are 52 feet long that is limiting factor in their useablity in AMA competition. 60 feet is the standard in the larger classes. Check AMA regulations for further info.

Too long and heavy for 1/2A where lighter daron is more suitable.

Crazy as it seems, inside the packs there is a note that says that these lines are actually 24" shorter than the stated length, in order to avoid the need to shorten them for competition! Why don't they just print the length as 50'? VERY strange.
I'm not about to fly in any competitions, and even if I did, AMA regs don't apply over here.
50' - 52' is more-or-less standard length for flying 2.5 - 3.5cc (15 - 19) which is my main class, what I'm trying to get is some info as to how good these lines are viz-a-viz braided steel, which is what I usually use.

Gonna put it on a PAW powered plane?

That's the idea!
I only bought these 'cause they were ridiculously cheap, believe it or not they came via EBay from a fellow in Mexico!
Obviously I want to know if it's worth using them in place of steel, I get fed up with carefully re-reeling steel to avoid the dreaded kinks!

I hate to say it Wilf, but I think they're junk. I bought a set several years ago, and it was like I'd hung a parachute onto the lines I had. VERY draggy...they trailed WAY out behind the plane. I ended up using them to suspend models in my shop.

Recently Patrick, the guy I' trying to help get back into CL, bought a set from our local hobby store, and insisted that we try them on his .35 powered ARF FliteStreak. They may be light, but with drag they create, they might as well weigh a ton. He had to keep the plane low in the circle just to keep it flying, and when the engine quit, they dragged the plane inward toward him.

The steel lines may be a pain, but I'll take them over this stuff any day.

Be cautious if you try them !!!!

Kim wrote:I hate to say it Wilf, but I think they're junk. I bought a set several years ago, and it was like I'd hung a parachute onto the lines I had. VERY draggy...they trailed WAY out behind the plane. I ended up using them to suspend models in my shop.

Recently Patrick, the guy I' trying to help get back into CL, bought a set from our local hobby store, and insisted that we try them on his .35 powered ARF FliteStreak. They may be light, but with drag they create, they might as well weigh a ton. He had to keep the plane low in the circle just to keep it flying, and when the engine quit, they dragged the plane inward toward him.

The steel lines may be a pain, but I'll take them over this stuff any day.

Be cautious if you try them !!!!

Right, thanks, Kim, that's what I needed to know, I had my doubts about their drag when I saw them, as I said, I paid VERY little for 3 sets, so I aint gonna be heartbroken if I don't use them, and I can always cut them down to fly .09s.
I take it from what you say that these are still made?

Not sure, but it seems like I've seen them listed somewhere. I think they may have been old stock in the hobby store. Patrick was getting impatient to get his plane flying, and I'd offered to order him a set. Still don't know why he didn't give me a yell before he bought them.

Kim wrote:Not sure, but it seems like I've seen them listed somewhere. I think they may have been old stock in the hobby store. Patrick was getting impatient to get his plane flying, and I'd offered to order him a set. Still don't know why he didn't give me a yell before he bought them.

We learn by our mistakes!

Why use steel when you can use Kevlar? Like Spyderwire, Teflon coated Kevlar braided fishing line. Except for the grass-green color and difficulty tying knots, I think it's great. But then I've never tried steel.

Yeah...I've gonna pretty much totally to Spyderwire on the 1/2A's and may try some on the .15 powered planes Patrick and I want to build. Great stuff.

I've got some .008 wire for 1/2A, but have yet to remember to try it when we're out flying.

I meant to mention I use 30# test. I have heard some say they use 15#, but I think that would be a tangle waiting to happen. Nothing more irritating than to find your lines tangled when you unroll your handle at the field.

I'm using the 15lb (because I got frisky and bought a couple rolls right off the top), and it's manageable if you're really careful, but loves to tangle and lock with the least encouragement !

RknRusty wrote:I meant to mention I use 30# test. I have heard some say they use 15#, but I think that would be a tangle waiting to happen. Nothing more irritating than to find your lines tangled when you unroll your handle at the field.

I make myself custom reels for steel wire, 8" diameter with two reels to keep the lines seperate, I learned many years ago that's the only way to avoid kinks and snags.
The commonest shout you heard on C/L flying fields was "Mind the lines!" (Normally with added expletives!) as some fool walked across the circle and fell over them!

There is some 110LB test sturgeon braded fishing line out now that is the size and has the flexability of 6-8 lb monofilament.

The commonest shout you heard on C/L flying fields was "Mind the lines!" (Normally with added expletives!) as some fool walked across the circle and fell over them! - Wilf

Oh yes! Except swooning teenage couples and errant dogs don't pay any attention!

Not that I'd compare them but their thoughts are directed elsewhere.

PV Pilot wrote:There is some 110LB test sturgeon braided fishing line out now that is the size and has the flexability of 6-8 lb monofilament.

Materials technology is amazing these days. I'm still hoping to see monomolecular strands, but it probably won't happen in my lifetime. Time for that space elevator. It still only exists in science fiction though. And fusion reactors for energy and propulsion. Oops, daydreaming again...

RknRusty wrote:

PV Pilot wrote:There is some 110LB test sturgeon braided fishing line out now that is the size and has the flexability of 6-8 lb monofilament.

Materials technology is amazing these days. I'm still hoping to see monomolecular strands, but it probably won't happen in my lifetime. Time for that space elevator. It still only exists in science fiction though. And fusion reactors for energy and propulsion. Oops, daydreaming again...

Yup, the whole nanotubes thing, if they ever can figure it out better.