making-up control lines

How about take two flat PVC end caps, say for 4 inch pipe. (or cut one in half) Fasten one to a board near the end. Wrap a pre-measured device around and fasten the other at a set loop distance, say to make a 5 foot loop, then count the loops. Fill the gap with caulk so the line cannot pinch. Spool two lines together and mark for tying.

I stole this idea from someone for wire control lines, but don't remember who. I haven't made it myself yet.

I string lines through the house. I tie off on the bedpost tape measure and two line ends, down the hall, through the living room, and into the dining room for 55-65 ft lines. In the living room for shorter. My wife has a fit every time I do it, so I try to make lines when she is not home.

Phil

pkrankow wrote:How about take two flat PVC end caps, say for 4 inch pipe.  (or cut one in half) Fasten one to a board near the end.  Wrap a pre-measured device around and fasten the other at a set loop distance, say to make a 5 foot loop, then count the loops.  Fill the gap with caulk so the line cannot pinch.  Spool two lines together and mark for tying.

I stole this idea from someone for wire control lines, but don't remember who.  I haven't made it myself yet.

I string lines through the house.  I tie off on the bedpost tape measure and two line ends, down the hall, through the living room, and into the dining room for 55-65 ft lines.  In the living room for shorter.  My wife has a fit every time I do it, so I try to make lines when she is not home.

Phil

LOL........ yea.. Phil... that's what we do.

Not to discount hard/SS lines.. but you wouldn't want to wind them around a radius smaller than the reel they came on. Still.. a jig could be made, using two spaced-apart reels, if you wanted to make a shorter line-set. Mount two avg. size reels/spools (3" dia.) to your workbench... 57" apart (center to center)... to make the 5' length-per-wind. You must clear all the $#it off your workbench for accuracy though. My math could be off a bit.. but you get the idea.

pkrankow wrote:How about take two flat PVC end caps, say for 4 inch pipe.  (or cut one in half) Fasten one to a board near the end.  Wrap a pre-measured device around and fasten the other at a set loop distance, say to make a 5 foot loop, then count the loops.  Fill the gap with caulk so the line cannot pinch.  Spool two lines together and mark for tying.

I stole this idea from someone for wire control lines, but don't remember who.  I haven't made it myself yet.

I string lines through the house.  I tie off on the bedpost tape measure and two line ends, down the hall, through the living room, and into the dining room for 55-65 ft lines.  In the living room for shorter.  My wife has a fit every time I do it, so I try to make lines when she is not home.

Phil

Apparently doing it this way is the most acceptable way of making lines. And And I thought that I was the only one doing it this way!

Also, I would like to mention that this topic is great as I was thinking of a simple way of making lines. But now I have a couple of great ideas. Thank you.

I just measure out the distance I require. Terminate 2 ends stake them in the ground and cut the other end works for both synthetic and cables. I have plenty of space to work though. Your idea sounds feasable.

Just a note, sort of a silent (until now) pet peeve of mine

Of course for a CONTEST you need to make up EXACT length lines to (usually) to a +/- 6 inch standard

But for sport flying there is no real compelling need to fuss about getting a set to 35, 42, 56, 60 or 70 foot length EXACTLY

Obviously for two in the circle combat you need both planes on very close to same length lines

Say you roll out your line-- and there is NOT quite enough to make a set of 2, 60' lines, but plenty to make each 58' 4".. go fo it!

As far as this project is concerned, even with Spectra, I would NOT use a nail.... find a 4" or 5" diameter form of any sort for each turn ...the math is easy be it a 4' to 10' or any distance in between for a "in shop" way to get a certain length....

Early on ( re-learning) I botched the second termination once or twice... frustrated me immensely... buddy said just cut away the crap and make the second end up (obviously shorter total length) and try on the second line to get it close to equal length
Was making a set to be 60'...enden up with a set 59' 2".... the plane really did not care