Aileron balance tube weights

[DBeaulieu]

I did a review of related posts on this but have not been able to determine if their is notable difference in aileron balance weight between different model Bearhawks. I plan on using leadshot and filling the tubes to 5 lbs 4 oz per Beartracks info Anyone have any specific number they used on a Patrol?

Cheers! Dave

[Mark Goldberg]

Just filling up the tube with lead shot will get you close enough. All the models (except the LSA) use the same aileron and should balance the same. Mark

[DBeaulieu]

Thanks Mark, I've got an 11lb bag of #12 lead shot coming my way!

[DBeaulieu]

FYI...just finished doing my Patrol balance tubes. With 1" deep plugs of JB weld and lead slurry and filling tubes with #12 lead shot the tubes came out each at 5 lbs and 9 oz

[VentusA]

RotoMetals sells .75 dia. cast lead rod that fit nicely into the balance tubes. They are more expensive than shot, (about $13 per foot, ≈ 2 lbs), but are really easy to install. A minute or two straightening them out with a mallet on the workbench, and they slide tightly into the tubes. The tube mounting rivets would probably hold the rods in place, but an epoxy plug at each end is probably worth doing. (Be a little careful handling lead - gloves and good clean-up after you're done).

[SpruceForest]

The four tubes I filled for our two Patrols came out within a few ounces of each other...roughly 6 lbs... easy enough to drill out some material to get things closer after covering. 105/206/lead shot slurry.