The New GWS SLOW STICK

Originally Posted by ForestCam

Well I just checked and for me the breakdown is this

SS Sloper,
$12.80 USPS Priority
$11.88 UPS Ground

SS Sloper + 1 boom
$12.92 USPS PRiority
$12.25 UPS Ground

SS Sloper + 2 booms

$14.80 USPS Priority
$12.72 UPS Ground

SS Sloper + 3 booms

$16.60 USPS Priority
$13.45 UPS Ground

That second and third boom must be really heavy.

It sure looks that way.

Who are you ordering from?

[ForestCam]

Originally Posted by qban_flyer

It sure looks that way.

Who are you ordering from?

GWS Expert

Used to use ALLERC but their standard shipping (UPS which ALWAYS takes 5 days including 48 hour layover in Chicago for some reason ) was as much as GWSE's priority mail which I've gotten as quickly as two days, three at the most.

Thanks!

If I don't find the "booms" locally, I will have to place an order with them.

[Rugar]

I ordered three SS slopers, some props, and other stuff from ALLERC last month, and the shipping was only $5.95 for all of it through UPS.

[ForestCam]

Originally Posted by Rugar

I ordered three SS slopers, some props, and other stuff from ALLERC last month, and the shipping was only $5.95 for all of it through UPS.

Yea well you're 1700 miles closer, practically right next door!:p

[crxmanpat]

Originally Posted by ForestCam

Yea well you're 1700 miles closer, practically right next door!:p

And I'm only about 10 miles away! I really wish he would work it out to let us "locals" come by and pick up orders, seeing as we have to also pay sales tax. We may be able to twist his arm yet.

[Rugar]

Originally Posted by ForestCam

Yea well you're 1700 miles closer, practically right next door!:p

This is true. But my point was that the shipping was the same for one SS, as it was for three. Two were shipped in one box along with the other stuff I ordered, and one was in another box.

[Rugar]

Originally Posted by crxmanpat

And I'm only about 10 miles away! I really wish he would work it out to let us "locals" come by and pick up orders, seeing as we have to also pay sales tax. We may be able to twist his arm yet.

Not having to pay sales tax is why I order from ALLERC and not Calif. based company's. Along with the great service I get from them of course. I have to pay enough in sales, income, and property taxes as it is. I avoid paying any more taxes any chance I get.

[hmarshall]

The SS has been one of my favorite all around planes. As for the 'new' version, well, I really don't care if the box has a handle on it or not, because it'll go into the trash once I unpack it. I do like the idea of thicker feathers, but the old ones work okay and never had a problem repairing or replacing them if needed. As for the split stick, personally I prefer mine as one piece, and with the wing off its never been a problem transporting it.

Frankly, for me the biggest improvement to the stock kit was accomplished when they redesigned the motor mount and switched to the EPS400. Much better than the previous flimsy underpowered affair! My current setup is a bit different than most. The electronics are from a doomed Parkzone Stryker, including servos'. The prop is a 10x8 from the Parkzone P-51, and batteries are the 8.4v 600mah used in the Parkzone Slow-V. I typically get about 15 or more minutes of flight time, and if the wind is just right, it'll hover straight and level into the wind for as long as you can stand to tweak the stick and power. It has close to 100 flights and still flies great!

[Sundog]

I notice allerc also has the "GWS SLOW STICK AS-1 PARTS KIT" for $5 which includes the fuse. Might be worth the add'l buck and a half.

[kensp]

Originally Posted by ForestCam

I noticed that HL is starting to carry 8mm square carbon fiber tube, too bad they don't offer it in a 2mm larger size.
Maybe the 8mm tube with some 1mm thick flats to put in the supports!

Does this 8mm square carbon fiber tube fit inside the 10 mm alluminium tubing. If so then make a CF fuselage and place small pieces of alluminium tubing over the CF at the front for motor mounting and at the mounting points for the wing and RC equipment carriers. A drop of super glue will hold the alluminium tubing in position.

Ken

[ForestCam]

Originally Posted by kensp

Does this 8mm square carbon fiber tube fit inside the 10 mm alluminium tubing. If so then make a CF fuselage and place small pieces of alluminium tubing over the CF at the front for motor mounting and at the mounting points for the wing and RC equipment carriers. A drop of super glue will hold the alluminium tubing in position.

Ken

Why bother? They have 1mm x 4mm flat to make up the size difference where you need it and I'm likeing the idea of a CF SS more and more, especially since it'll only cost about $15 to do.

[bsoder]

How much havoc will a CF frame cause with your radio reception, I wonder...

Originally Posted by ForestCam

Why bother? They have 1mm x 4mm flat to make up the size difference where you need it and I'm likeing the idea of a CF SS more and more, especially since it'll only cost about $15 to do.

And it is readily available as well.

[nstaller]

The fuse on my SS broke long ago, a quick trip to the local Home Depot for a 3/8 square stick for a $1 and some change fixed it right up plus I added a little length to accomodate a CVS camcorder .I wouldnt worry about the new fuse because everybody loves to modify anyway.

Hi,

Which department at Home Depot did you find the 3/8" aluminum stock at?

I was there this morning and could not find it. :o

Originally Posted by nstaller

The fuse on my SS broke long ago, a quick trip to the local Home Depot for a 3/8 square stick for a $1 and some change fixed it right up plus I added a little length to accomodate a CVS camcorder .I wouldnt worry about the new fuse because everybody loves to modify anyway.

[ForestCam]

Originally Posted by qban_flyer

Hi,

Which department at Home Depot did you find the 3/8" aluminum stock at?

I was there this morning and could not find it. :o

I think he ment a 3/8" square STICK as in birch.

Originally Posted by ForestCam

I think he ment a 3/8" square STICK as in birch.

OOPS!

No wonder I could not find it in Hardware!

[nstaller]

Sorry about that it was birch. It was with the dowels

No problem.

I'll take a look at them when I go back there on Friday.

[kensp]

Originally Posted by bsoder

How much havoc will a CF frame cause with your radio reception, I wonder...

About the same as an alluminium frame would cause.

Ken

[uglyplane]

Originally Posted by bsoder

How much havoc will a CF frame cause with your radio reception, I wonder...

If the antenna is run out to the tail fin, you will be fine. I have never had a problem..

[kensp]

I have been reading this thread with interest. There seems to be a number of people who believe that because the new Slow Stick fuselage has a join in it must be weak. None of these people appear to have built or flown the new model.

A join does not necessarily have to be weak. Over the last 40 years my friends and I have built and flown many large span Sailplanes with either one or two joins in the wings. Wing structures have to far more stress on them than tail booms do but none of these large span sailplanes has a problem with the join being weak.

So how can you criticize the 2-piece Slow Stick fuselage without building and flying it?

Here is a photo of the durability testing team for the New Slow Stick.

Ken

[firemanbill]

Originally Posted by kensp

I have been reading this thread with interest. There seems to be a number of people who believe that because the new Slow Stick fuselage has a join in it must be weak. None of these people appear to have built or flown the new model.

A join does not necessarily have to be weak. Over the last 40 years my friends and I have built and flown many large span Sailplanes with either one or two joins in the wings. Wing structures have to far more stress on them than tail booms do but none of these large span sailplanes has a problem with the join being weak.

So how can you criticize the 2-piece Slow Stick fuselage without building and flying it?

Here is a photo of the durability testing team for the New Slow Stick.

Ken

Ken, I think it is yet to be determined whether it's a bad thing or not but why mess with something that works so well? Remember when Coca-Cola came out with New Coke?

What I'm wondering is in the photo it appears 4 of the 6 that I can see have the one piece fuse, the connector to put it together is longer that the push rod holder that is on them. Another has a black fuse. Has it had to be replaced? If this is the product testing team why would they not replace it with a stock fuse???

I'm not knocking or bashing... just curious

Originally Posted by kensp

I have been reading this thread with interest. There seems to be a number of people who believe that because the new Slow Stick fuselage has a join in it must be weak. None of these people appear to have built or flown the new model.

A join does not necessarily have to be weak. Over the last 40 years my friends and I have built and flown many large span Sailplanes with either one or two joins in the wings. Wing structures have to far more stress on them than tail booms do but none of these large span sailplanes has a problem with the join being weak.

So how can you criticize the 2-piece Slow Stick fuselage without building and flying it?

Here is a photo of the durability testing team for the New Slow Stick.

Ken

I speak from experience Ken.

Two of the guys I help out followed the original Slow Stick instructions (photos) to the letter and had their booms "cut" as suggested. The result is a weakened tail end on these two particular ones. They are not rigid and there is a fair amount of "play". One of them has inserted a dowel in his in order to reduce the problem.

This fact is what I have based my opinion of the "new and improved" version of the Slow Stick on. I have no axe to grind as I have always been an avid advocate of the Slow Stick, but I will point out shortcomings on anything when I see them first hand.

The split boom is not an advantage, it is a shortcoming.