GWS Slow Stick

[Gauge]

Just wanted everyone to know the good news I had from GWS today.

I purchased a Slow Stick with my wife and baby girl on Saturday. We drove 40 miles to Burlinton, Ontario to check out Skycraft Hobbies. A great RC store. Everything I wanted was there and the shop owner actually knew what I was talking about when I asked for it. We finished our shopping then returned home . I started to assemble the kit, then realized that the front wing stiffeners were missing. After doing a kit inventory (I know, I should have started with this step) I realized I was missing 2 front wing fiberglass stiffeners, 2 tail gassets (their spelling), and double sided tape.

A quick email to their customer service on Saturday night explaining my troubles. The next night I had a request for pictures and proof of purchase. I sent this via email. I did not receive any confirmation of reciept. I was going to give it a week and contact them again. I was surprised tonight when I stepped in from work to find a strange cylinder sitting on the kitchen table. Curious I checked out the mailing label and found it was from GWS. All my parts were shipped via air mail. Good on ya GWS. Cheap plane but I did not want to correct their errors by purchasing my own replacement parts. Nice for them to correct a problem. I will buy GWS again. I find this hobby has a lot of stand up people backing their products. I'm sure I'll be told otherwise, but my experience has been different.

[nova801428]

That is the best trainer plane in my opinion. That was also my first palne to. I wish I could show you a video of my totaling my slowstick. The hinge tape came off, BEWARE that the hinge tape eventually will fall off and cause you trouble. packaging tape works well.
Nova

[Rugar]

Glad to hear you had good cutomer service from GWS.

As nova said, beware of the hinge tape that comes with the kit. It will come loose eventually. I dont use any of the hardware items that come with the SS kit except for the linkage rods (wire), the control service horns (they need to be epoxied on or they may come loose), the plastic wing mounts, and the servo mounts. I epoxy the tail feathers on and replace the fiberglass wing stiffeners with carbon fiber rods (also epoxied to the wing and center tube). Have fun with your new plane .

Gerald

[I_Love_My_ABC]

I agree 100% the Slow Stick is a great plane to have in your hangar. It was my first build kit and it teaches you the very basics of good building practices too. It only took me two days to have it in the air. Not bad for a first build. I recently did the aileron mod and now I'm running the Slow Stick as a 4 channel aileron trainer which is working beautifully!! Here's the link with a few pictures too...

http://www.rchobbyhub.com/index.php?...ewtopic&t=2861

[flypaper 2]

Tape hinges will stick much better if you stick it down with an iron. Activates the glue a bit.If you have a monocoat iron, set at 200F or a household iron at LOW.

[rcers]

Well I don't use the tape on GWS foam models. I have not found any that will stay "stuck" here in the TX summers.

I use regular CA hinges, cut them narrow to 1/4" strips and use regular white glue to hold them. Works great!

Mike

[flypaper 2]

We up here in igloo country we don't think of those things but I use your method also and as you say, works great.

[Gauge]

This is not my first plane. However all the tips are great. I did use the tape and it has fallen off (before first flight ). After reading other posts on how much fun and how relaxing a Slow Stick can be, I decided to pick one up.

As for another question, all my other planes have been ARF's. I am curious as to the best practice to hook up the pushrods to the servos control horns. Any good ideas? What hardware should I look for?

[rcers]

I am curious as to the best practice to hook up the pushrods to the servos control horns. Any good ideas? What hardware should I look for?

I use a "Z" bend on the horn end and Dubro Micro ez connectors on the servo end. They are the best thing, super easy to make adjustments and I have never had one come loose in flight!

I love them...

Mike

[Twmaster]

I'll echo what Mike just said about the Dubro micro EZ connectors. I use them on all my planes these days. They are simple, light and do the job well.

One thing I do before putting tape on any surface is to wipe it down with alcohol first. Removes any mold chemicals and other things that might keep the tape from sticking.

[meegosh]

Anyone have a recommendation for a good prop replacement for a stock setup? I am looking at purchasing the gwsexpert slow stick 400 combo and want a back up. Also I need some help with batteries. I am going to be getting a MK11 charger so I would have to get batts that can be charged with that and work in my stock SS setup.

[dregsfan]

Originally Posted by Gauge

This is not my first plane. However all the tips are great.

Here are some SS tip sites and posts I have found useful. I am just finishing up a SS 400. Hope to have it in the air next week, if the wind cooperates.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242539

http://mattsrc.rchomepage.com/ssir/allinone.shtml

http://www.verrill.com/rc/ss/

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273180

http://www.rcwing.co.uk/Slow%20Stick%20Build.html

Good luck!

[jimjxsn]

I think the prop I used on the stock motor was an APC SF11x8. I switched over to dubro micro push rods and taped them to the fuse. Switched the hinge tape out - bought a roll from NE sailplane. I Replaced the vertical stab with a slightly larger depron one. After the stock motor wore out I replaced it with an Esskay 400XT outrunner. Love the slowstick for relaxing flight at the local park.
Jim

Originally Posted by jimjxsn

I think the prop I used on the stock motor was an APC SF11x8. I switched over to dubro micro push rods and taped them to the fuse. Switched the hinge tape out - bought a roll from NE sailplane. I Replaced the vertical stab with a slightly larger depron one. After the stock motor wore out I replaced it with an Esskay 400XT outrunner. Love the slowstick for relaxing flight at the local park.
Jim

Hi Jim,

Where did you get that motor mount for the 400XT? I have two 400XTs and would like to fit one on my S/S.

Thanks

[hasbeen]

actually i think you could use medical bandage tape for any hinge(s).
it's paper tape but with small hole for air to get to the wound.
i agree with the person who suggested cleaning the surface with alcohol first. not that i have a lot of flying time on mine but i did clean the surfaces before applying the "tape" and it has been assembled over a year and the hinges are stuck down tight.

hasbeen

[tallflyer]

I'm Working on my new Slowstick site www.flyelectricplanes.com If anyone wants to send me pictures of there slow sticks I will update my photo page to include your pictures.

[flyranger]

I love my slow stick. It's my windy flyer, thats why I added a brushless and converted it to ailerons.

[tallflyer]

flyranger

I added some of your pictures to my site http://www.flyelectricplanes.com/photos.html

[Steve]

The Slow Stick is a great plane to learn and grow your knowledge about RC flight. I'm working on SS-IV as we speak...

This is one of the best sources of information I've found

http://www.verrill.com/rc/ss/

Enjoy!

[tallflyer]

Also a good building tip is that you dont even need a drill to make the holes a brand new sharp xacto knife blade number 11 works well also, just mark the fusealage with a pen and then line up the tip of the xacto blade with the mark slowly turn the xacto blade applying a little amount of down force as you turn the medal is soft enough you can make great starter holes that your screws will go right into!

Tip From Robert Viskil
san Diego Ca

www.flyelectricplanes.com

[Dr Kiwi]

Originally Posted by qban_flyer

Hi Jim,

Where did you get that motor mount for the 400XT? I have two 400XTs and would like to fit one on my S/S.

Thanks

The Cobri outrunner ["rotating case"] stick mount (www.e-flightline.com) would be fine - otherwise go to www.topcreations.com - they have various stick mounts - one of 'em must suit.


Cheers, Phil

Originally Posted by Dr Kiwi

The Cobri outrunner ["rotating case"] stick mount (www.e-flightline.com) would be fine - otherwise go to www.topcreations.com - they have various stick mounts - one of 'em must suit.


Cheers, Phil

Thanks Phil,

I found the one by E-Flite ($4.99) I am using fits that motor as well. The prop offset is exactly the same as the GWS gearbox/motor combo.

[CustomCougar]

Originally Posted by Gauge

Just wanted everyone to know the good news I had from GWS today.

I purchased a Slow Stick with my wife and baby girl on Saturday. We drove 40 miles to Burlinton, Ontario to check out Skycraft Hobbies. A great RC store. Everything I wanted was there and the shop owner actually knew what I was talking about when I asked for it. We finished our shopping then returned home . I started to assemble the kit, then realized that the front wing stiffeners were missing. After doing a kit inventory (I know, I should have started with this step) I realized I was missing 2 front wing fiberglass stiffeners, 2 tail gassets (their spelling), and double sided tape.

A quick email to their customer service on Saturday night explaining my troubles. The next night I had a request for pictures and proof of purchase. I sent this via email. I did not receive any confirmation of reciept. I was going to give it a week and contact them again. I was surprised tonight when I stepped in from work to find a strange cylinder sitting on the kitchen table. Curious I checked out the mailing label and found it was from GWS. All my parts were shipped via air mail. Good on ya GWS. Cheap plane but I did not want to correct their errors by purchasing my own replacement parts. Nice for them to correct a problem. I will buy GWS again. I find this hobby has a lot of stand up people backing their products. I'm sure I'll be told otherwise, but my experience has been different.

This also happened to me. I was missing pushrod tubes for my E-Starter. I phoned GWS and they had me email copies of my reciept. No confirmation, but a few days later they arrived in the mail. What more can you ask for (besides all the parts being there in the first place).

[flyranger]

Originally Posted by tallflyer

flyranger

I added some of your pictures to my site http://www.flyelectricplanes.com/photos.html

Thanks, tall flyer. I'm flattered! Next step for the "stick" is to mount a cheap brushless outrunner I bought on ebay from china. Seemed to be somewhere between a 370 and a 400 in performance. Want to get away from the gearing. I break way too many gearboxes!!!

[kuzikood]

ive had a couple hundred flights outta my SS and havent had the wing snap yet been thrue 4 gearboxes and 2 speedcontrols....not for over loading just from sooooooo many flights...so what to do ...well i found an old brand new modified 540 motor and gearbox from an old "hi performance"electric ...hmmmmmmmmm this will be fun espeacially with lighter batteries' lighter radio gear ..and a very very light airframe..ima gonna go try this right now i held the motor on with a hose clamp lolol now thats low buck!

-kuzi-