crankshaft locks

[phaed]

...i think that's what they are called. don't be the cheap/impatient/idiot like me and skimp on this.

heli lasted about 1 gallon before my fan/clutch came loose from vibration. i'm sure this is due to me not using a crankshaft lock and really tightening that baby down. engine siezed while hovering. i was lucky and had no heli damage, but it could have been a total wreck.

ordered one as soon as i got home, and am not flying again til i get the sucker.

[flyinfool]

Which type did you get.
The ones that are made to screw into the glow plug hole have been known to damage pistons and void the engine waranty.

I prefer the one made by OS that will not damage anything, or void the engine waranty.

[phaed]

ordered the type where you take the backplate off and it locks onto the actual crankshaft.

[flyinfool]

Cool :D

[Ivan]

A toothbrush handle in the crankshaft intake port works well also. Take the carb off and insert the soft plastic handle. The biggest problem is that your wife will complain that it is uncomfortable and tastes funny.

Even at that i have had fan hubs come loose, so I started putting a coupel drops of loctite on the threads of the crank nut. That pretty much solved the problem, now I only use a crank lock (tooth brush) when trying to loosen the nut.