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Making silicon hinges (using an Aldij as an example)

Picture
You will need the following tools:
  • Razor saw
  • Masking tape
  • PVC tape or Sellotape
  • Bathroom or fish aquarium silicon (Geocel)
​
Picture
Cut the aileron out using the razor saw at an angle shown

Picture
​ Looking from the end of the wing section. The aileron is cut from the wing at an angle (marked in red). Then hot knife a groove down the wing as marked in blue. When hinged the aileron will the tuck neatly into the wing when it is deflected.

Picture
​Turn the wing over and align the hinge and tape the aileron in place. (I used "Diamond" sellotape)
Make sure that the top surface of the wing is level and also make sure the tape is well adhered to the top surface, otherwise you will get flashed silicon onto the top surface

Picture
​Turn the wing back over and mask off any areas where you don't want silicon. (It might get messy!)

Picture
​Apply a silicon bead of approx. 1.5 mm in width. (no more than this)

Picture
​ Run your finger down the bead smoothing it out and removing any excess

Picture
Now close up the hinge fully. This will do two things :
  • (1) "Wet" both surfaces
  • (2) Create another small bead of silicon along the hinge
Carefully open out the hinge again and run your finger back along the new bead. Again removing any excess. You may need to repeat this step until you hardly get a new bead forming.

Picture
Set the hinge in position and leave overnight. Wherever you set the hinge this is where it will naturally settle. Some people prefer to cure the hinge open, therefore leaving a bit of tension in the final assembly. Personally I prefer a hinge which settles in the neutral position.

Picture
Picture
​Finally remove the tape and the masking tape, leaving you with a perfect hinge.
Additional notes: I was surprised by how little silicon is required for a strong hinge. If you do not remove the excess silicon as , you will be left too much silicon forming a filled joint rather than good hinge.

It is also a good idea if you have the scrap foam that the original wing was cut from use this to hold the wing in position while you are working and more importantly when the silicon is curing. I also weighted the foam down so the hinge was aligned perfectly neutral and with the top surface.Don't be worried if you do stuff up or you don't get a perfect hinge the first time. Simply fold back the hinge and then run your thumb down the silicon and it will easily peel off so you can start again.

This hinge not only looks great but is actually really strong. I had an accident which wrote off the wing yet the hinges were fine!

Contact us

  • About
  • Site
  • Club
  • Membership
  • Weather
    • XCWeather
    • Wellesbourne Live
  • Gallery
    • Club Members
    • Club Gliders
    • Golden Oldies
  • How To
    • Automate D-Connectors
    • Batteries >
      • Charging
      • What is the "Memory Effect"
      • How Are Batteries Rated? (What Are Volts and Amps?)
      • How Can I Maximize Battery Performance?
    • Build a fly-powered plane
    • Build a Pibros foam model
    • Build straight & true
    • Cast lead nose weight
    • Crimp servo cable connectors
    • Cut ailerons (or flaps) into moulded wing
    • Design and calculate almost anything
    • Debond CA
    • Digital Camera/RX Interface
    • Digital Photography by Radio Control
    • General Tips for building
    • How does a wing work
    • Install wing servos
    • Lipo balance connectors
    • Make NiMH battery packs
    • Make servo linkages
    • Make silicon hinges
    • Make silicon hinges (alternative)
    • Make silicon hinges (alternative)
    • Make wing bags
    • Run your aerial in your model
    • Spektrum Useful Tips
    • Set-Up a Racing Glider
    • What do thermals look like
  • FAQ
    • How do I join the SMSA and how much does it cost?
    • Do I need insurance to fly?
    • What radio equipment would you recommend for a beginner?
    • When am I likely to meet other SMSA members flying?
    • Can the SMSA help get beginners flying?
    • What models and advice would you recommend for a beginner?
  • AGM
    • AGM Location
    • 2020 December (not held)
    • 2019 December
    • 2019 March
    • 2018 (not held)
    • 2017 (not held)
    • 2016 Minutes
    • 2015 Minutes (not held)
    • 2014 Minutes
    • 2013 Minutes
    • 2012 Minutes
    • 2011 Minutes
    • 2010 Minutes
    • 2009 Minutes
    • 2008 Minutes
    • 2007 Minutes
  • Links
    • RC Glider Blogs >
      • Bwlch Blog - Kevin Newton'
      • Pierre Rondel Glider Reviews >
        • Archived Glider Reviews
        • Current Glider Reviews
      • South Wales Soaring - Steve Houghton'
    • RC Glider Classifieds >
      • BARCS For Sale
      • BMFA Classified Glider Ads
      • eSoaring For Sale
    • RC Glider Clubs >
      • Ivinghoe Soaring Association
      • Leek & Moorland Model Glider Association
      • Long Mynd Soaring Association
      • Malvern Soaring Association
      • South Wales Soaring Association
      • Thames Valley Silent Flyers
    • RC Glider Manufacturers >
      • Aeromod
      • Aero-o-tec Shinto Crossfire
      • Baudis Models
      • Breta Tanga Furio NYX
      • Flightech Optimus
      • JiTom
      • Lesky Pace
      • NAN Models
      • NCFM Models
      • Pace Lesky Composites
      • Pike Samba
      • RCRCM Models
      • RTGModel Rotmilan
      • Sanda Arsen Mach
      • Stinger Dingo
      • Stratair
      • Vampire
      • Vladimir's Models
      • Willow F3F
    • RC Glider Shops >
      • Ace Model
      • Ace Wing Wing Bags
      • Hyperflight
      • Phoenix MP
      • Revoc Bags
      • Soaring USA
      • South Coast Sailplanes
      • T9 Hobby Sport
    • RC Manufacturers >
      • Airtronics Sanwa
      • Frsky
      • Futaba site
      • Hitec Multiplex
      • Hyperion
      • JR
      • KST servos
      • MKS servos
      • Multiplex
      • Overlander Batteries
      • Savox servos
      • Spektrum
    • RC Shops >
      • Align-Trex
      • Al's Hobbies
      • BRC Hobbies
      • Brentford Radio Control
      • Easy Composites
      • Inwood Models
      • Kings Lynn Models
      • Modelfixings.co.uk
      • Model Shop Leeds
      • Nexus Models
      • Plug Molds
      • Servo Shop
      • Slough RC Models
      • Sussex Model Centre
      • West System/Wessex
      • Vapex Tech Batteries
      • Zepsus magnetic switches
    • RC Websites >
      • BARCS British Association of Radio Control Soarers
      • BMFA British Model Flying Association
      • eSoaring.net
      • RC Groups
      • RCMF (glider section)
      • Scale Soaring
      • Slopehunter