HB Precision 6 restoration and conversion

[stuart mackay]

A good friend of mine, Iain Nicol from IAD Designs in Scotland was clearing his deceased parents house and asked me if I could find a good home for his Dad's, Jim's HB Precision 6 transmitter that he had from new from the 1970s.

In no time, It found its way to Swaffham Aircraft Factory and was stripped ready for the case to go in the dishwasher!!

Inspection show that I need a couple of the round grey plastic HB Stick bezels which had cracked around one of the screw holes, so if anyone can help please get in touch!

I also need an HB precision or Sprengbrook plastic badge too if anyone has a usable one in their spares box?

Re-assembled after the trip to the dishwasher!

[Pchristy]

Yes, those stick bezels were prone to cracking! I managed to get replacements for mine (mine are black) some years ago, but my source has since gone to that great airfield in the sky!

Also, the plastic covers on the rear of the stick units are also prone to cracking and breaking.

Its an ideal task for 3D printing. I would offer, but I've only got blue PLA, which probably wouldn't do. I think I have some grey ABS. I got that for making motor mounts, but it proved too brittle. Might be OK for bezels, though.

Let me know.

--
Pete

[stuart mackay]

Thanks Pete, a local friend of mine is busy modelling and printing the stick bezels for me and I have also got an aluminium HB Precision label on the way too.
Here is the results of the first prototypes, will be making more mods to strengthen and improve surface fininsh before the final print!

So, pretty much sorted and will post results of the completed Tx!

Mike K asked me why some had grey and others had Black, were the grey ones, the kit built versions?....because I also have a black sticked HB Precison 4 Tx??

[Pchristy]

I thought all the HB Precision sets were kits, and the Sprengbrook badged ones the ready made version.

Th Sprengbrook agent down here in Devon, back when I was a student, was a local TV repairman (remember them? ) who later joined forces with another local modeller to open their own model shop. If you bought a kit off Don, he would quite happily build it and align it for you, and he must have sold dozens as a consequence! I don't recall seeing any grey ones at the time.

I don't know who made those stick units, but I suspect the moulded bits were made from what surplus stock was available. The plates on the back of the sticks - presumably there to prevent water ingress - are all red on mine!

I suspect the grey ones were later ones, once they had run out of black material...

--
Pete

[stuart mackay]

New 3d stick bezels and repro HB Precision badge were sorted today and here is the result!

[Pchristy]

Excellent! How are you finding the spring tension in the sticks? When I pass mine around, everyone asks if I was an arm-wrestler!

I never noticed, back in the day! I find modern Txs very weak on the springs. I much prefer the strong ones. I believe it was Phil Kraft who said, "Soft springs sell transmitters. Hard springs win competitions!"

[Shaun]

I believe it was Phil Kraft who said, "Soft springs sell transmitters. Hard springs win competitions!"

I think you are 100% right Pete.

But I prefer soft springs. Too many years flying multitotors.

[stuart mackay]

If anyone needs a badge, then I had a few more printed and available here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/135623182611

[stuart mackay]

Excellent! How are you finding the spring tension in the sticks? When I pass mine around, everyone asks if I was an arm-wrestler!

I never noticed, back in the day! I find modern Txs very weak on the springs. I much prefer the strong ones. I believe it was Phil Kraft who said, "Soft springs sell transmitters. Hard springs win competitions!"

Yes Pete, the springs are pretty strong, but that doesn't bother me as much as the slight play around neutral, will have a look at tightening them up/ greasing the balls to try and make it a bit more HB Precision!