LAUNCH YOUR SAILPLANE INTO LOW-EARTH ORBIT WITH A COMET WINCH!!!
PRECISION FABRICATED FROM TIG WELDED MILD STEEL AND CNC MACHINED ALUMINUM

 

COMET WINCH WORKS components are produced for the RC sailplane enthusiast who wants only the best parts to build his own winch at reduced cost or refurbish an older winch in need of an upgrade.
We do not sell complete winches. You supply your own Ford longshaft motor, solenoids and wiring. You just assemble your winch and go flying!

Our kits are precision cut and only the best materials are used. We 
produce only high performance parts for the enthusiast ....you!
 

Our own COMET WINCH WORKS prototype has been in service for three seasons now. This unit has proven itself to be powerful and reliable as well as easy to transport and stow. This is the basis for our COMET WINCH design.

 

 

 

PHEW! WE'VE BEEN BUSY!!! FROM LEFT: THE EDMONTON AREA THERMAL SOARERS NEW CLUB WINCH
 COMPLETE WITH BRAKE ARM AND NEW INJOY BALL BEARING MOTOR. 

 

SWITCH AND LED'S ON THE ORCC CLUB WINCH, THE OTTAWA RADIO CONTROL CLUB'S NEW CLUB WINCH

 

 

What you supply:

• Ford longshaft starter motor, either 6 volt or 12 volt.
  The Ford long shaft motor is shown below as it comes. Once the 'bendix' starter gear is removed, it is ready to accept the COMET WINCH spool.

• STOP PRESS!  

  • WE HAVE SOURCED SOME BRAND NEW 6V NO. 3110 MOTORS AND CAN PROVIDE ONE TO YOU WITH YOUR KIT AT A REASONABLE PRICE.  

  • WE FREQUENTLY ALSO HAVE THE NEW INJOY BALL BEARING MOTOR IN STOCK TOO! 
    THESE MOTORS ARE A WORK OF ART AND WE ALL OWE TOM BIANCHI OF INJOY A DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR HAVING THEM PRODUCED AND FOR OFFERING THEM TO THE SAILPLANE COMMUNITY. THESE ARE HARD TO KEEP IN STOCK, EMAIL US FOR AVAILABILITY! 

  • CONTACT US IF WE CAN SUPPLY A MOTOR FOR YOUR WINCH PROJECT!
    

        

 

COMET WINCH WORKS COMPONENTS

Components available are:

• Winch frame

• Machined aluminum spool

• The LINEMASTER Clipper industrial quality foot actuator

• Machined aluminum ball bearing end caps

• Build an inexpensive but durable turnaround! Comet Winch Works Hub angle plates! 

 

COMET WINCH WORKS Winch Frame

 - tig welded mild steel frame predrilled for dual solenoids and ground stakes, CNC cut aluminum endplates, knurled 1" diameter aluminum handle.

             

                 At left - CNC milling machine cutting out a winch endplate, material is now 1/4" aluminum.
At right -  Endplates shown next to prototype COMET winch.
See a short clip of the milling operations HERE.
              

Completed winch frames ready for delivery, just paint the steel base, install your Ford
longshaft, spool, solenoids and wiring and you're on your way!!!

 The COMET WINCH WORKS Spool -
All machined aluminum, 1/4" thick side plates for durability and strength, 2" diameter center section. Only the best hardware throughout. Available with brake groove at additional cost.

• At left above, spool components ready for COMET WINCH WORKS engraving.

• At right above, spool endplate getting the CNC treatment...

• Below right, custom keyed spool for TEAM 2193 First Robotics team of Hilltop HS San Diego Cailf.  

• Below left, final truing, balancing and polishing of a spool on the "ol' gal", our mid-1960's 13" South Bend lathe. 

                 

The LINEMASTER Clipper foot actuator -
Industrial quality Linemaster "Clipper" momentary switches are the best switches available for winch control. These switches are designed for heavy duty industrial use, actuating all sorts of machinery from drill presses to bandsaws. Long lasting and durable, these switches will last a lifetime...and our prices are the best you'll find anywhere.

The COMET WINCH WORKS BALL BEARING ENDCAPS -  
Designed to reduce friction and ensure battery longevity for those long days at the field! Our machined aluminum ball bearing end caps are spun from 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum and are just the thing to get your Ford longshaft motor running at top efficiency. All parts are bolt-on and easily install on 3110 AND 3115 FORD LONGSHAFT motors in minutes!
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us before ordering!  

The COMET WINCH WORKS TURNAROUND HUB SUPPORT ANGLE PLATES - 
SORRY! THE CWW BUDGET TURNAROUND PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE!

-The fastest and easiest way to fab a turnaround is to acquire the following components:
i) a front bicycle hub from an old 10 speed bike- preferably a large flange hub as shown below
ii) two large size u-bolts from Home Hardware or Reno Depot
iii) an approximately 10" x 10" piece of 3/4" plywood and ..
iv) a set of our Comet Winch Works aircraft aluminum angle plate hub supports!

Assemble the components as shown below and VOILA! You have an affordable and durable turnaround!

The COMET WINCH WORKS WINCH KIT - 

OK, so what do I get and what do I need to complete my winch?  
 
What you get...
-Tig welded mild steel frame primed and ready for paint
- CNC machined 6061 T-6 aluminum endplates and 1'' diameter aluminum handle.
- Drag type brake arm, belt and end clips.
-Precision machined 6061 T-6 aluminum COMET WINCH WORKS spool with 2" center.
-Authentic Linemaster Clipper foot switch.

What you need - what you need to do...
-A suitable 3110/3115 Ford Longshaft starter motor. ( CWW NOW STOCKS NEW 3110 6V LONGSHAFT MOTORS, CONTACT US FOR AVAILABILITY!)
-The frame comes with the 4.1" motor mount hole to allow you to locate your Ford long shaft motor, all you have to do is mark and drill your motor mount bolt holes.
-1200 to 1400 ft of nylon braided winch line along with a suitable parachute.
-Appropriate length battery cables and wiring along with two solenoids (Blue Streak SS588 or equivalent). These are available from the AUTOZONE or ADVANCE AUTO PARTS nearest you . The application is mid 60's to 80's Ford car or truck with a 'remote'  fender mounted solenoid. ( i.e.: STANDARD AUTO PRODUCTS solenoid part no. SS588)
Wiring. Again here, appropriate length pre-made battery cables are available from your local auto parts store. 
-Add a simple two wire line from the Linemaster pedal switch to your solenoids.(extension wire type wire is your best bet)
See Andrew Mileski's excellent web pages on wiring winches here and here. 
-A large flange front bicycle hub type turnaround pulley mounted on a plywood base.
-A deep cycle marine 12 v battery 
-Please note that all of our kit components are supplied in 'mill finish' .  All cosmetic finishing is the responsibility of the Comet kit builder.

COMET WINCH WORKS PRICE LIST AS OF JULY 15th, 2010
-AS OF JULY 2009, ALL ORDERS WILL REQUIRE A 100% DEPOSIT. 
-ALL ORDERS ARE CUSTOM ASSEMBLED ON AN 'AS ORDERED' BASIS, DELIVERY 
8 TO 10 WEEKS FROM RECEIPT OF DEPOSIT.

ALL PRICES ARE F.O.B. MONTREAL Qc. IN US$  CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

LAUNCHING AN ICARE SAILPLANES HERA INTO ORBIT WITH A COMET WINCH !!!

SITE UPDATED 2010-07-15