talk about recycling

HERE'S AN IDEA from DR GIRITHARAN (Giri) for cheap and efficient hinges. He says:

Old X-ray films make excellent hinges. Here is how you do it. Cut the X-ray film about one-and-a-half inches wide and as long as your control surface. You then make hinge-slots in the trailing edge of the flying surface and leading edge of the control surface from root to tip. I find that the best tool for slotting is the one made by Carl Goldberg. Slot the strip of home-made hinge into the hinge slots you have made and glue with cyano. Do not use epoxy as this will foul the hinge-line and give stiff controls. If you want to be more cautious, you can drill 1/16in. holes through the balsa and hinge and peg it with orange-sticks [known to some of us as cocktail sticks]. This hinge will give you more precise controls - try it and you will be convinced. You might ask me where you are going to get old X-ray films - I am sure grandma has some old X-rays of her knees in the cupboard.

Thanks, Giri. By the way, Giri, every time I try and e-mail you, my message gets returned so I'm sorry I have been unable to get in touch.

I'm not sure that all of us could actually get hold of old X-ray film, but it might give you an idea to explore some other similar alternative if you are unable get hold of mylar hinges for any reason.

coloured pipework