How do you use a winder?

[goose]

It seems to be such a simple question, but I have not seen any good pictures on how to use one. I have heard of Crocket Hooks, Winders, Stoges, Winding rings, and other things that are supposed to make life simpler than pushing the prop with your finger, but how do they work together? What is a Crocket hook used for? Does it stay on the plane when it flys? Is it removed? How is it hooked up? How do you remove the winder from the rubber motor without having the whole thing come unwound? Is the prop removed, or does it stay in place?

I did pick up the Don Ross book, "Rubber Powered Model Airplanes" but his explanation leaves a lot of questions, for me at least. Is there a photo or video tutorial on this somewhere?

I understand that there are probably several ways to use these items, and I would be interested to see whatever method works for you.

Thanks!
Goose

[supercruiser]

Try this site: http://www.carolinafreeflight.org/Carol ... ntest.html

If that link doesn't work, just go to carolinafreeflight.org and look at the Spring Contest 2010 event photos. Or just keep perusing the various Events listed. I know there are a couple of pictures of winders in use.

Those are good questions you've asked.
Some folks remove the prop, some folks have a loop in the wire prop hook in front of the spinner, which allows the prop to remain attached.

[supercruiser]

http://www.carolinafreeflight.org/Carol ... st.html#18

There is a photo here of a winder in use. Notice the prop laying beside the model. the prop hook is Reverse S style by the way.
The tube is an explosion tube. In case the rubber let's go.
I think somewhere on the CAFFA site is a photo of a crockett hook. It helps load the rubber motor into the fuselage.

[goose]

Nice pictures, and a lot of nice planes.

I am about to order some parts and supplies, so I was wondering what to get, and what not to get.

If I get a winder, the hook on the winder will wind the rubber motor, but then how can you get the rubber off of the winder hook and onto the prop hook with it all wound up? Are there some pictures of how to do this? How would a crocket hook be used? does it really help? Is there a better way?

I think that I have figured out how to mount the model in a stooge to hold it while it winds, but the other end in connecting the motor to the prop has me baffled.

Goose

[supercruiser]

After the rubber is wound up tight: most folks, including me, grab the end of the rubber motor and unhook it from the winder AND while still having a pinch hold on the slippery rubber motor---hook it to the propeller hook. Then you can just hold the prop and set the whole thing onto the front end of the fuselage.( I thought there was a video or photo of that on the CAFFA site???)

CRAZY isn't it? With the small rubber motors used on most Guillow models, holding onto the wound rubber motor is no big deal.
Several times I have seen people wind big motors, such as 4 strands of 1/4" rubber, wound about 1000 turns, that nearly got loose from their fingers before they could get it transferred from the winder to the prop hook.

Is there a better way? I think so. When you make your prop shaft, bend a hook at the backside of the thrust button as usual, slide the prop and thrust button on the shaft. Then bend a hook on the front side of the prop. That way you wind the rubber motor already hooked to the prop shaft. I think there is a photo of this setup on the plans for the Guillow Fairchild 24. If you happen to have a copy.
I have a BMJR winder. It has a removable winding hook, so I can use a custom hook (homemade) that allows me to hook the prop to the rubber without disconnecting it from the winder.

A crocket hook is used to insert a UN-wound rubber motor down inside the fuselage so you can then install the motor peg.
Basically, it's a long stick with a "Y" shape at the end. The rubber goes over the ends of the "Y". With the rubber/crocket hook stuffed way down in the fuselage: you pass the motor peg through the gap at the base of the two uprights of the "Y" . Then you just pull the crocket hook out. Leaving the rubber motor hooked around the motor peg. If you can ever get to a free-flight event, all this will become very apparent. There might be something on YouTube. I'm sorry I cannot post any photos at this time. (Camera went kaputt).

[atesus]

... A crocket hook is used to insert a UN-wound rubber motor down inside the fuselage so you can then install the motor peg....

Supercruiser,I believe you're thinking of a "stuffing stick".

Here's a link where various methods of attaching the rubber to the prop are discussed.

http://www.smallflyingartsforum.com/YaB ... 81131793/0

I tried the crocket hook on a couple models (dimescale and 400 series P40) but have decided that I like the O-rings better (much cheaper too ). Here are a few pictures from my 400 series P40. I used a crocket hook in this one. The bending of the prop shaft in that particular shape the is (was) intended to eliminate the crochet hook riding up the prop shaft hook and causing vibrations but with my less than perfect bending skills I ended up causing more vibrations I guess .

In any event, the Guillows models would benefit a great deal from a built-up nose block. Some sort of nose block is also required for stretch winding where you pull the rubber out of the fuselage and stretch it to 3-4 times its rest length and start winding away...

I hope this helps.

[goose]

Thanks for the pictures that are worth thousands of words! Now it's starting to make sense.