A Thermal Hopper Story - Thanks Levent Suberk!

Base blue is right shade?

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Posted here: https://www.coxengineforum.com/t11656-cox-strato-bug-insert-reproduction#148603

Got some Thermal Hopper goodies in the mail today. Thanks to Kim for the Kaysun 6x3 prop!!! I'll try to clean it up tonight. Also got a copy of the original instruction manual and parts list. The spinner and mounting hardware arrived from Cox Int. The Space Bug decal was in the mailbox as part of an order from Matt at EX. This weekend, thanks to Levent Suberk's ongoing efforts, I was able to print out the warning sheet on yellow paper.

My latest question about this packaging: was the instruction manual printed on 8.5x11 standard paper? I see the copy has large margins and am supposing it needs to be cut down in order to fit in the bubble pack recess.

Here she is with the latest bits. Correct spinner, prop, and mounting hardware. I also trimmed the insert card a touch here and there for proper fit. Just need to figure out the proper size for the instruction sheets and how they were folded to fit and wait for the wrench that crankbndr is sending. This has been too much fun!

Nice Hopper!! I had trouble folding my instruction sheet compact enough because of thick paper, thin paper is key.
I sent your goods last Wednesday, snail mail for sure. Where did you find the yellow paper?

Thanks! Funny you ask. I couldn't scrounge up any yellow paper but stumbled on these dividers at work. Sacrificed one for the good of humanity.

Wow! That turned out great !!!!!

Yep. A team effort. Thanks again!

What's next ??!!! I'm all ready to start rooting through more debris !!!!

Had to print out the instruction/parts manual front and back to get it on 2 sheets, slightly trimmed down. Then I was barely able to fold and crease it to the right size. With the exception of restoring the wrench when it arrives, I'm going to call this one done. Oh wait, the OEM glow head is buggered pretty bad with bent fins and such, so I would be interested in finding an original head that could be cleaned up, whether it glows or not. So there's that.

The head can be cleaned up pretty easy sometimes by using a small thin screwdriver to straighten fins. Once you're good with that, place the the stem into a drill and using a folded piece of sandpaper (appx. 250-400) clean up scuffs and slight dings. The sandpaper does a great job of recreating the original slight machined marks.

Very nice technique, Mark! Thanks

crankbndr wrote:Nice Hopper!! I had trouble folding my instruction sheet compact enough because of thick paper, thin paper is key.
I sent your goods last Wednesday, snail mail for sure. Where did you find the yellow paper?

If you want I can send print warning sheets on yellow paper. Send your address with PM.

Thanks, Levent, but I'm all set. Crankbndr might want it, though.

Tee Bee wrote:Very nice technique, Mark!  Thanks

I agree, but one needs to exert caution when spinning the head with a drill...excessive pressure with the sandpaper may cause the central plug element to spin and slip inside the head, and severe the glow filament, or at least kill the air-tight sealing of the plug element

I agree Andras, it's probably best to use something with low torque, like a Dremel set to low speed while doing the head clean-up. Looks effective, I am going to try it on some of my beat-up old-style heads.

Thanks for the tip Mark

The mailman brought this vintage wrench today, a gift from crankbndr. He even included a surprise gift, a Thimble Drome envelope containing original mounting hardware. Thanks a ton!

I'll start refinishing the wrench tonight.

balogh wrote:

Tee Bee wrote:Very nice technique, Mark!  Thanks

I agree, but one needs to exert caution when spinning the head with a drill...excessive pressure with the sandpaper may cause the central plug element to spin and slip inside the head, and severe the glow filament, or at least kill the air-tight sealing of the plug element

it's pretty hard to apply any significant pressure with a folded (to expose both sides) piece of sandpaper, but along those lines of caution, i should probably mention a slow speed and let the abrasive do the work.

Well, following Mark's advice, I straightened out the fins as he demonstrated. Then I chucked the head in my Dremel. Used the slowest setting(still too fast IMHO) and folded 600 grit to get her cleaned up. I finished by applying a small spot of Mother's alum polish and hitting it again with the now-smooth 600 grit. Good enough for me.