Mainshaft's oversize

[X]

Anyway to make an oversize mainshaft to fit in swashplate(sanding, etc)? Putting Stratus together. Swashplate won't go into the mainshaft. Try other shaft from Extreme, the swashplate go in no problem. I am really sick of having to send it back to MA to replace with the new shaft. Somthing like this happened to me before with my Extreme. Where is QC?

Regards,
x

[Alfred]

Exactly the same has happened to me.
We also had a wrong ball link in our set.
Incorrect length bolts......
Yep...MA has an issue with QC at the moment.
Another builder who just reveived his Stratus had also 2 instead of 4 Flybar spacers.

[Raptor30Heli]

hey X - have you actually measured the shaft to be sure that it is truly oversized versus just a burr on the end from the chamfer?

-mike

[bigrcr]

Polish the main shaft with same light emery paper and some light oil for a bit and then wipe dry. I do this to all of the new main shafts and yes it is possible that there is a burr on something.

Hope this helps.

[DavidH]

The mainshafts have a coating on them to prevent rust. Usually a scotch brite pad and some acetone or alcohol will remove the coating. All the main shafts I get I have to remove the coating before using them or the swash and washout will not slide freely.
Also as mentioned, check the ends to make sure there is not a burr. If you send it back for replacement , the next one you get will have the same coating and probably not slide freely either. All the mainshafts are checked at MA for straightness using 2 V blocks and dial indicator before they are shipped out.

David

[X]

Alfred, have you ship the mainshaft back to MA or they just send you a new one.
Raptor30Heli, I did measured it and it is an oversize.
bigrcr, Thank you for info.
DavidH, yes, it did cleaned real good with alcohol before I try to put swashplate into the mainshaft and it doesn't want to go in.

Regards,
x

[DavidH]

If you measured it, what size is the mainshaft?

David

[X]

DavidH,
I will check it again when I am at home. I will post it asap.
Thanks,
x

[WillJames]

The other thing is once you use the schtch brite or fine paper to get the protective coating off, be sure to lube it again with some triflo or something like that before you install it in the heli and put the split colars on. I have had one instance on a gas machine where the colars were pretty hard to get off because I neglected to do so, and they were somewhat rusted to the mainshaft.

[Gary O]

Out of the 25 or so MA helicopters I've built, I have yet to run across one with any kind of problem. On main and tail rotor shafts I polish them on a buffer to a high finish. They look like chrome afterward. Once that's done, a couple drops of tri-flow at assembly and you won't have any problems.

[X]

Talked to Chris at MA, he told me to use Sand Paper (600) or I can just send it back for replacement.

[Alfred]

Well on mine I polished the shaft using a chrome polish until you could see your reflection in it.
I then tried to lap the swashplate onto the shaft. After 1/2 hour I wasn't getting anywhere fast.
I had a couple of spare shafts (one used one that had been replaced while chasing down a vibe) and I tried to slip the Swashplate onto it..no go.
On mine it's the Swashplate. There seems to be a smallest of lip on the ball when the bevel was ground into it.
I used a dremel with a fine stone and a honing action, running the dremel very slow.
Three careful repitition and some more chrome polish had it eventually slide up and down with little drag.

We have an excellent supplier who would have replaced the parts in an instant if I would have asked him but I don't mind a bit of a challenge.
My point is that the latest kits/production run have some definit quality issues.

1) Incorrect ball link in bag 5
2) Incorrect bolts for the new Front Frame doublers i.e 6mm instead of 8mm, which I replaced
These doublers now go through all the way to the end of the frame, ergo where there used to be a single wall thickness is now double wall thickness. that means that the bolts also have to be longer by another 2mm. The bolts would hardly engage the threads in the pressed in nuts.
3) Horizontal fin: The milling tool didn't make it all the way through the CF plate, leeaving behind a razor sharp burr
4) Manual not updated yet to the latest production version (I checked their Website)
5) Long flashes left on the pins that go through the end of the round ball on the CS Tail drive shaft

6) The other guy had the same ball link issue in the same bag
7) bolts too short for the engine backplate (his was the OS engine)
8) missing 2 Flybar carrier spacers part No: 120-88
He was way behind me in the build, so we don't know if he his going to have any other issues.

I have build 3 X-Cells before and done numerous upgrades, but never had this many issues in kit before.
They are niggling little problems, nothing major but still annoying and just not up to the standard we have become used to from MA.
The biggest issue seems to be incorrect or missing parts in the kits.

[chrisvau]

Alfred,

Its Chris here from archeli. I did run into yet another missing part last night. Another ball link this time completely missing. its was a #105

So for me that makes:
Missing flybar spacers x 2
Missing Ball links x 1
Wrong ball links x 2
Wrong size engine bolts x 4
Incorrect bolts for the new Front Frame doublers
Im starting on the tail this weekend so will see if anything else is missing.

Some may be wondering if i am a sloppy builder and losing parts. This is not the case. I build an a white sheet. I have several tupperware containers that I use to pour parts from every bag I open into. I then check the parts list and clean any bolts/threads with isopropyl alchohol to remove any grease while I check the parts.

This is my 1st X-Cell kit and only my 2nd Heli ever. My first was a Raptor 50v2 that had no QC issues at all.

I gotta say I am a little dissapointed. I bought the Stratus because of XCell reputation for quality. I can certainly see that quality in the kit and the design, but its being let down by poor QC on the assembly line. The XCell distributor here in Australia has been fantastic and overnights the missing parts to me almost daily.

I think I got the Friday afternoon kit from the guy who had a hangover from a big thursday night :roll:

Best Regards
Chris

[WayneBrown]

the 'assembly line' to put the parts in a kit is about 5 people, one of whom is the owner.
Drop an email to them, and explain the issues, maybe they'll throw a hat in for your troubles?

[DavidH]

It is really only two people that pack the kit bags at MA. Use to be just one woman, but when she left it took two people to replace her. <G>

There is no assembly line per say at MA. There is a person that assembles swashplates, clutches, and any other pre assembled parts that come in the kits.


David

[WayneBrown]

I saw only 5 people in the shop, and assumed when they weren't pulling parts for orders, making CNC parts, or stocking shelves they all did the kits.
Still amazed at how much comes from so little space. It's a compact operation.

[X]

the 'assembly line' to put the parts in a kit is about 5 people, one of whom is the owner.
Drop an email to them, and explain the issues, maybe they'll throw a hat in for your troubles?


I think Tim get used to the word "missing parts" already.

chrisvau, you are lucky that they send your missing parts overnight, never happen here in the US, regular USPS only.

[X]

DavidH,

It is 10.02 mm.

Thanks,
x

[ChrisLaFollette]

got access to a lathe? Turn it down till it fits.

[WayneBrown]

got access to a lathe? Turn it down till it fits.
Now Chris, that's just about as worthless of a comment as I've heard from you..
Although it will work, it's not a feasable task, You have to center, and true the chuck, tailpiece, and assure it runs true before you can even attempt it, then you have to grind it smooth afterwards.
It may sound easy, but man its a lot of work.

[ChrisLaFollette]

Chuck it up in a drill with some 600? :lol: Come to think of it, it would be a lot of work.

[chrisvau]

Well I am just about finished my build and ran into more missing parts.

In addition to last list posted the following was missing from this weekends building:

1 x #105 m3 x 4.5 mm ball
2 x 0017 M3 Hex nuts ion tail

Once I get those I am ready to fly....

Regards
Chris

[Alfred]

Yeez..Chris
You had a really bad run there :?
I had no more problems.
Mine is more or less finished except for Receiver + tuning.
I lifted both my helies, the Fury Expert and the Stratus...without the Canopies, both feel exactly the same weight..But the Stratus runs a 90 engine..Yep..I can see the power there :D :D
I am installing a Lithium Ion 4800mAH with a dual voltage Arizona regulator into it.
That will give me 10 flights comfortable :D
Chris (he is the Spray Painter of the Canopies) flew his Stratus for the 1st time at Coffs Harbor running in a brand new OS90. On Saturday/Sunday he started to give it a bid of a workout..looked very good.
I am getting mine to run stock 1st with V2 690mm blades and once sorted will set her up for FAI flying.
That means longer Flybar...new Mains Blades...new Paddles... :roll:
And possibly later a reduction to 8.18:1