LOVE the BEAM - rebuildable swash ROCKS!!!

[huskynox]

Gotta give a shout out for this heli! Fly's so well, quality/design is top notch, and the rebuildable swash rocks!!!

My swash bearing was getting a little sloppy after a crash so I took the $6 bearing out and replaced it. While I had the swash apart I also replaced the little white plastic swash ball guides ($5 for 3 sets of guides). The swash is like brand new again, and the heli fly's like brand new again!

I love this heli! :thumbup:

I have 2 Trex 450 SE V2's, but I really prefer the BEAM. The Rex's are great, don't get me wrong, but I love this BEAM! I hope they do a 500 or 550 next!

[Pappy]

The swash, or the fact that they would offer a rebuildable one, was what put me over the top for the Beam as opposed to the others out there. That and the design is all-metal and they obviously worked to minimize part count too. I'm an engineer so I appreciate that kind of thinking.

[huskynox]

I'm an engineer so I appreciate that kind of thinking.

X2
:cheers

[M52 POWER!]

I tried rebuilding one today and it was impossible. Anybody want a brand new bearing lol?

[akshaw]

I also had to take my swash apart recently, to clean and lube it. The ease of serviceability of this heli is an outstanding part of the design. :thumbup:

[3DBEAM]

yes i will agree that the BEAM is definetly a unique piece of machinery, the only reason i had to replace the main swash bearing was due to the bottom seal falling out , this caused dirt / dust to get into the bearing and wrecked it quick. so a good fix for this seal fall out is to add a very small washer to each bearing retainer screw so the washers just cover the seal edge , no chance of the seal falling out then.

[n808]

+1 all metal head
-1 metal head is glued together with red loctite
-1 too many too-easy-to-strip tiny philips head screws
-1 slop everywhere (after 150 flights).
-1 can't get tracking to stay consistent (probably due to above)
-1 few online shops and common parts back-ordered everywhere
Yes, I realize it's time for a head re-build, when I can get parts, and I will feel better about it afterwards. My previous Trex 450 SE lasted a lot longer with less slop. The re-buildable swash isn't all that high on my list of advantages, but yes, that's good I guess, and will save me a few $ when re-building/re-glueing the head.

[CPV2]

n808;

Did you put your Beam together from a kit or did you buy it used or what ?

Who in their right mind would red Loktite a swash together, especially a servicible one :roll:

A jewelers screwdriver fits perfect in those little Phillips head screws.

New dampers would probably fix the tracking or better blades.

Parts are available if you know where to go online.

Just some thoughts;

Clarence

[n808]

Of course I didn't use red loctite on the swash! But all the mixing arms in the head are glued onto their bearings as the only means for holding them attached.

And thanks for the useful tip "if you know where go online". I asked the contact info address given on the Beam site (an Advantage address) why there was such a shortage of for instance, the one-way sleeve, and if there was a production problem. Neither Advantage nor Horizon has it. I never received an answer.. Yes, I found it from a store that sent it out one week after they said they would, even though I paid extra for Priority shipping. That was the only store that had it, and I will not order from them again if I can avoid it.

That aside, I was really happy with my Beam when it was new. All tight and shiny. Now I just don't think it's neither serviceable, nor resistant to wear, and frankly somewhat regret the purchase.

[CPV2]

n808;

http://www.hobbyzone.com/

Was it this place ?

Google is your friend...

Just trying to help :roll:

Clarence

[CPV2]

As an aside...

There is no need for red Loktite anywhere on a heli.

Blue is sufficient and easily removable.
If not then apply heat with a soldering iron and work it back and forth and out.

Just trying to help...

clarence

[n808]

Thanks for trying to help. Normally, red loctite shouldn't be needed, but according to the manual, the mixing arms should be attached to the bearings with red loctite. I seem to recall it came assembled, and all the mixing arms came loose after just a few flights. I re-attached them with red loctite, and they have since come loose again a few times. How you can make the mixing arms not come loose with only blue loctite, I don't quite understand.

The store I used was CME Hobbies, but I see Hobbyzone also has the "rare" parts, and I will try them for the head rebuild parts. I need a new washout base for sure, and parts for the swash. I'll take everything apart and see where else the slop is, but I think those two are the main culprits.

[akshaw]

Sorry to hear your having so much trouble with your beam. I doubt, though, that it would take many replacements to get it back in top shape again.

I agree that it can be a PITA to find parts for the beam. There are not many shops that are willing to carry beam parts. Last time I ordered I couldn't find ALL the parts I needed at any ONE online store. So I ordered from advantage hobby since they had some parts I needed but not all, and I had to put in another order with helidirect, who had the parts I couldn't get from advantage. At the time (not sure if it's still going on), advantage hobby was providing free shipping for orders $50 or more. So I didn't have to pay shipping twice, which was cool.

My only complaint about the heli itself is the main blade grips, which are too tight for standard 450 sized heli blades. To me, repairing the beam is a lot easier, the roominess the frame provides for changing out the main shaft, and especially the tail. That's why I said what I said about it's serviceability.

BTW, I had the same experience with CME! It was like waiting for paint to dry, it took so long.

[n808]

I worked on it for 1 1/2 hour or so again tonight and re-found some love for it :)
Changing the tail shaft bearings was a snap, just loosen the belt by pushing it under the pulley, take out the bearing holder screws and set screw for the hub, push the tail shaft out, put new bearings on, some green loctite so they don't spin, re-assemble. All metal, just be careful with the little philips head screw for the control arm. It needs plenty of blue, and tightened reasonably well. It caused one crash a while back.

To get the head back in shape I need a new bearing for the swash, since the old one has up/down play, figure out how to disassemble it (I saw another thread on that), and replace the washout base, whose guide holes have opened up quite a bit from wear. And use only hard dampeners! I didn't read the manual well enough to see there were two kinds... I tried some old Trueblood dampeners from my previous 450, but those didn't help the inconsistent tracking, so I am still not 100% sure the dampeners cause that problem

[3DBEAM]

i can,t understand why out of all the hobby shops you guys must have over there in the states [ u.s.a. ] that someone can,t represent BEAM and have Beams and Spare Parts readily available at most stores. over here in Australia we have beams / spares available in every state and if a part is needed you will have it within 24 hours by post or you can get it straight away if you go to a shop, this is thanks to Brooknet who is the Australian agent for Beam. so maybe its time to get onto some large heli suppliers and ask them to stock up and speed out to different stores.