>has anyone heard of the one of the original U >channel hinges failing or wearing out and had to be changed? >Paul Visk +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The U channel hinges will eventually wear and develop some slop but it will take hundreds of hours if they are aligned properly. If you want to go with the aluminum hinges, find a good hardware store and purchase some thin nylon / plastic bushing inserts. I found them in the 3/16 size with a lip on one end. I don't know if the original hinge sizes allow for drilling to accept oillite bushing without removing too much material. The thin nylon inserts would give a good wear rate and would be replaceable. Go with three hinges on the rudder as suggested in a newsletter or somewhere. When building on a budget, there really is no need to install components that will outlast the airplane by a factor of 10. Do however, consider the failure mode of each component and what the consequences of that failure will be and proceed accordingly. Wear can usually be dealt with, sudden failure can be fatal. Larry Flesner
