I've seen some forum builds where some have had problems cutting off the tab. Some "after" pictures show a bent up hook.
You could grind or saw off the end but it can be done with two small pliers.
Score (don't even try to cut completely through) the tab with a wire cutter.
Then use two small end pliers to bend and crack off the tab. One pliers holds the hook steady, the other one bends the tab close to the scored line. A few back and forth bends should break off the finger tab.
EDIT: I was reminded in a comment below - File the sharp rough end of a cut engine hook. The flipped hook will be slightly longer than the original low end bend. A few passes with a metal file will clean it up.
The Estes hooks are spring steel and are worth using after cutting off the finger tab. The Quest hooks are easily bent and are tossed.
Very good tip regarding the technique of cutting of that bit on the engine clip -- most folks who ended up with mangled clips were likely trying to do it all in one step (i.e. directly cutting or using one set of pliers). Had run into similar issue back when building model aeroplanes many years ago -- my initial attempts in bending the steel wire to make landing gear or propeller hooks were often not very successful. After reading a similar sort of tip in a magazine or book, and adopting the same technique you outline resulted in *much* improved results. The final step you've not mentioned (which seems obvious, but likely easily missed) is to file off the cut end to get rid of the burrs.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Quest engine hooks... Yep, bad sign when you find a mangled clip in the bag. Another bad sign is that you're able to roughly straighten it out by hand. Next bad sign (if you've ignored the previous signs) is the first time you insert an engine, the clip ends up bent outward and the end doesn't engage the engine end -- so you end up using a wrap of tape over the hook, exposed motor mount tube and the engine. (as for ho I know about this.. [fidget] someone I know [fidget] ran into this) Don't know if Quest has changed their hooks since the last time I bought one of their kits (back when the X-30 kit was in production).
Hi Naoto,
DeleteYou bring up a great point about filing the broken, rough end of the clip. I'll edit the post.
It's rare to find a real spring steel engine hook in a Quest kit, even the early kits.