WANTED: Metal...

[phaar]

Does anyone know where I can get the same kind of metal that makes up Estes motor hooks. I just need a bunch of it. Does anyone know what kind of metal is actually is? I want any kind of metal that is the same size(1/4" wide) and can be bent relatively easily.

But, I do NOT want to buy motor hooks themselves, just the metal....anyone know where or how I can do that? Thanks in advance!

 

[Rocketjunkie]

The Estes 'E' hook I have is 1/8" wide and made from .024" thick material. It appears to be spring temper steel.

I checked McMaster.com but there were no entries 1/8" wide and the prices were very high.

 

[powderburner]

---the kind from your car

The old style of wiper blades used to have two strips of metal. If you are friends with anyone at a local auto shop they might save some of these for you as they work on cars.

You may have to heat treat this stuff---or you may not, you will just have to try some and see. Sometimes when I bend a sharp angle in this stuff it cracks and breaks (this is not good). In its orginal condition it is usually tempered (heat treated) to be stiff and rigid. To soften, heat until cherry red and let cool slowly. Make your bends, heat again until red and then quench quickly.

1/4 inch wide stuff would certainly work, if that is the only size you could find, but it would (IMHO) look kinda ugly?

 

[sandman]

I replaced the wiper blades on my wifes Jeep Cherokee front and rear and had enough of the metal strips to make 16 "E" sized engine hooks!

 

[DynaSoar]

Originally posted by phaar
Does anyone know where I can get the same kind of metal that makes up Estes motor hooks. I just need a bunch of it. Does anyone know what kind of metal is actually is? I want any kind of metal that is the same size(1/4" wide) and can be bent relatively easily.

But, I do NOT want to buy motor hooks themselves, just the metal....anyone know where or how I can do that? Thanks in advance!

You're looking for ribbon wire. Probably high carbon steel, .25" x .0625". Thomas Register will help you find manufacturers, but most of them will only sell large rolls. Low carbon would be easier to bend, but that's not a good thing for engine hooks because it can also bend to let the engine shoot out. YMMV.

 

[Stones]

I've had good results with banding steel. This is the stuff you see wrapped around large containers/boxes. It's usually about 1/2" wide and is a dark black/blue color.It has enough "memory" to keep it's shape after many bendings of motor installs. Your local hardware/"do it yourself" stores or possibly one of the larger grocery stores may have this. Doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[rbeckey]

I have made many motor hooks out of wiper blade strips. I set up a torch on the basement floor and sit beside it. I wear welders gloves. I hold the strip in a pair of linesman's pliers and heat the last half inch red hot. I quickly regrip closer to the end and use a hammer to bend and flatten the hook against the pliers. I measure and make another bend, and cut with a chisel. I then reheat the bent areas red hot and quench in water. These hooks cost almost nothing and work as well as any other I have used. a pair of blades for the van and another pair for the car, and the rear van window wiper all get changed once a year. This gives me 10 strips to work with, and is more than enough, since I usually only make E hooks. I always have a few standard size laying around.

 

[Stymye]

If possible try to leave the tinest of a radius where the hook is bent rather than an acute sharp bend. It will be less prone to break.

 

[flying_silverad]

I collect wiper blades (used) whenever and wherever I can. Most sizes are good for 18mm stuff with a small percentage large enough for E motors.

Want to make them snazzy?
I had a pair of Z bend pliers left over from my Model RC plane days. The pliers make perfect bends in control rod material which happens to be the perfect bend for motor hooks. And it leaves a nice little tab to save your thumbnails. Then, using an empty casing, size up the end and make your final bend with a nice pair of line-mans pliers. Use a roto tool to finish off any burrs.

I bet I've made over a 1000 in the last year alone. Good thing it's quick work with the right tools.

I have been to two major machine and sheet metal operations in my area and have yet to come up with a supply as good as wiper blades (and as cheap ).

 

[cls]

you're looking for "spring steel". I bought a roll of "music wire" from the hardware store. $4 will give you more than you could ever use. it's round though, not flat. you will have better motor-retaining results with a |_| shape than a _| hook. both | go in to the MMT, the _ goes across part of the bottom of the motor.

neat tip on the wiper blades, I am going to try that.

 

[rocket trike]

I went to the local junk yard and got about 200 of the spring out of the wiper blades and only paid 3.00 to 6.00 for all of them. They did look at me kind of funny when I asked for them.

 

[astronboy]

Tip: When bending my own hooks, I make them long enough to hook just past the engine block This is typically 1/4" longer than a standard hook. This strengthens the whole assemble and helps prevent the hook from ripping out when the Ej charge goes off.

I alos love the wider spring steel in some wipers. It is great for the double hooks I use for my F21 powered models. (I use two opposed engine hooks for these large motors.)

Phred

 

[Stones]

Originally posted by astronboy
Tip: When bending my own hooks, I make them long enough to hook just past the engine block This is typically 1/4" longer than a standard hook. This strengthens the whole assemble and helps prevent the hook from ripping out when the Ej charge goes off.
...
Phred

Good idea. I've had one or two hooks rip out from the EC. Putting the hook in front of the engine block vs. behind it, like most instructions state, would obviously cure that. Of course, this negates using a standard, supplied hook.