Rubber

[smartkid222]

You only need to discard your rubber if you are winding it close to the max, meaning you stop winding right before it is about to break. If you are winding like this then you should be discarding your rubber frequently. If you are winding to a point less than this, then it is ok. The question is really how much less winding before breakage makes it safe to re-use rubber?

(This has to do with the potential energy storage curve of rubber if you want to search for it.)

[jander14indoor]

Historically there have been several brands of rubber that stink normally. Kind of like what you describe. Not found commonly because they usually are inferior in energy storage and the flying community shuns them quickly. Not worth the ribbing to even use as a practice rubber given the relatively low cost of good rubber.

Where'd you get the rubber? Is it Tan Super Sport? How's it been stored? Is it still any good? Did you test it?

As to lube, if you aren't using it you are wasting good rubber. It doesn't make a small difference, it makes a HUGE difference in how hard you can wind your rubber bands. We're talking 50 to 100%. Forget the stickiness after a few winds. You won't get as many winds in the first time without it breaking. Use a good lube, you won't regret it. PS, good lubes are cheap. Armorall or Son-of-a-Gun vinyl protectants available at your local auto store are among the best. A small bottle will last several seasons of hard flying.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[carneyf1d]

I've heard that recently the batches of Tan SS have gotten better. I bought some in 08 and the stuff is terrible. I've been looking and can't seem to find a graph of energy return compared to batch date. Does anybody know where I can find one? If not, does anybody know of some recent batches that are notably better?

[lllazar]

Never mind...

[calgoddard]

From time to time I hear about really good batches of TSS rubber. When I try to order the same from FAI, they are always out of that batch.

The last couple of batches of TSS rubber that I bought have not been nearly as good as the TSS rubber I got in 2005, and none of them are as good as the small amount of TAN II rubber I was able to acquire a few years ago.

The experts always qualify their praise of any good batch of TSS rubber by saying "It's almost as good as TAN II."

[smartkid222]

Here Carney,
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/UHIOTSl6Mu ... rubber.GIF

[carneyf1d]

link doesn't work.

[smartkid222]

hmm. you probably need to join the group. I'll try uploading it to the wiki or something.

[eta150]

Is it the consensus here, that as in Wright Stuff, maximum rubber mass will increase times? Or would it be worth trying lower masses? There are so many new factors in this event...

[jander14indoor]

No consensus yet. I strongly believe max rubber will give max flight time. BUT, at least one person who also posts on this list that I respect strongly disagrees with me. Ultimately, experiment and let the results be your guide.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI