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Diploid · 04-02-2009, 04:05 AM

The ball links in my 600ESP are supposed to go on with the A facing out. Why is that?

From what I can tell, the plastic part is smaller on one side than on the other so it's harder to press onto the ball the wrong way, but once it's on the ball, why does the direction it went on make any difference?

What's the purpose of making the plastic link narrower on one side than on the other? Anyone know why this is?

PyroM!KE · 04-02-2009, 08:54 AM

That way eventually when the ends wear out, there is really only 1 side that could pop off easier..

Who knows.

Diploid · 04-02-2009, 10:00 AM

Well, if that were the case, then it would make more sense to put them on with the A facing inward. That way if they wear out, the failure will make them pop INTO the ball instead of completely off. It would still suck, but at least it would still be partially connected to the shaft of the ball link.

I don't get it.

teshreve · 04-03-2009, 12:08 AM

They will go on both ways. Just push harder

Or if you are not wanting to permanently dent your thumb, you can take a NEW excato blade and carefully trim just a sliver off the outside edge of the smaller side. The end result will be a hair-like curly thing being cut off. And then it will pop right on like the other side.

Diploid · 04-03-2009, 11:43 AM

Why are they made that way?

Thanks for all the replies, BTW.

BestTry · 04-04-2009, 10:03 PM

As I understand, most ball links on the market today unidirectional. Meaning that they are designed to only snap on one way. This one way also allows them to come off easily in the opposite direction. And you are right! This does not make any sense. Coming off in this direction is catastrophic. Go on easy means coming off easy!

According to "Ray Hostetler's Helicopter "Shop & Field Companion" (Available a good heli shops and @ http://rayshelitech.com ) page 118, he recommends replacing all of your balls and links with a symmetrical ball-link pair. He highly recommends "Ultra Ball Links" distributed by "FMP" ( http://www.fortunemodelproducts.com/balllinks.html ). They sell them for various size push rods. They are symmetrical links. They come in packs of 10, 25, 50, and 100. In Ray's book he also mentions that when you snap on one of these "Ultra Links" their is a very fine edge that folds over and creates a draggy feel. He recommends taking a X-Acto knife, holding the knife at a 45 degree angle and go all the way around the edge of the link, taking off the fine edge.

I can not remmember where he states this (either on Ray's video series or from his book) but with these links you do not have to use any resizing tool. Supposedly they fit perfect.

The reason I am aware of this is that I am planning to purchase a heli. (A Trex 600ESP) But before I go ahead on this financial demanding adventure I want to do things right and so I am doing a lot of reaseach.

Also you might want to take a look here at HeliFreak in the video section. There is a video on ball links by Finless Bob White: https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41692.

Well the best of success to you .... (BestTry)

0636 · 04-05-2009, 02:32 PM

I have to replace some ball links on my T600 head after about 350+ flights because some of them developed some amount of free play. But even with substantial play they would not come off the balls easy.
So, no worry, just check them ones a while and replace when you feel if it gives some extra slop in the head.

04-02-2009, 04:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Diploid Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Mar 2009	Ball Link Question The ball links in my 600ESP are supposed to go on with the A facing out. Why is that? From what I can tell, the plastic part is smaller on one side than on the other so it's harder to press onto the ball the wrong way, but once it's on the ball, why does the direction it went on make any difference? What's the purpose of making the plastic link narrower on one side than on the other? Anyone know why this is? __________________

04-02-2009, 10:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Diploid Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Mar 2009	Well, if that were the case, then it would make more sense to put them on with the A facing inward. That way if they wear out, the failure will make them pop INTO the ball instead of completely off. It would still suck, but at least it would still be partially connected to the shaft of the ball link. I don't get it. __________________

04-03-2009, 11:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Diploid Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Mar 2009	Why are they made that way? Thanks for all the replies, BTW. __________________

04-04-2009, 10:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
BestTry Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2008	Uni-directional Ball Links As I understand, most ball links on the market today unidirectional. Meaning that they are designed to only snap on one way. This one way also allows them to come off easily in the opposite direction. And you are right! This does not make any sense. Coming off in this direction is catastrophic. Go on easy means coming off easy! According to "Ray Hostetler's Helicopter "Shop & Field Companion" (Available a good heli shops and @ http://rayshelitech.com ) page 118, he recommends replacing all of your balls and links with a symmetrical ball-link pair. He highly recommends "Ultra Ball Links" distributed by "FMP" ( http://www.fortunemodelproducts.com/balllinks.html ). They sell them for various size push rods. They are symmetrical links. They come in packs of 10, 25, 50, and 100. In Ray's book he also mentions that when you snap on one of these "Ultra Links" their is a very fine edge that folds over and creates a draggy feel. He recommends taking a X-Acto knife, holding the knife at a 45 degree angle and go all the way around the edge of the link, taking off the fine edge. I can not remmember where he states this (either on Ray's video series or from his book) but with these links you do not have to use any resizing tool. Supposedly they fit perfect. The reason I am aware of this is that I am planning to purchase a heli. (A Trex 600ESP) But before I go ahead on this financial demanding adventure I want to do things right and so I am doing a lot of reaseach. Also you might want to take a look here at HeliFreak in the video section. There is a video on ball links by Finless Bob White: https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41692. Well the best of success to you .... (BestTry) Last edited by BestTry; 04-05-2009 at 01:48 PM..

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04-02-2009, 08:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
PyroM!KE Registered Users Join Date: Sep 2008	That way eventually when the ends wear out, there is really only 1 side that could pop off easier.. Who knows.

04-03-2009, 12:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
teshreve Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2007	They will go on both ways. Just push harder Or if you are not wanting to permanently dent your thumb, you can take a NEW excato blade and carefully trim just a sliver off the outside edge of the smaller side. The end result will be a hair-like curly thing being cut off. And then it will pop right on like the other side.

04-05-2009, 02:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
0636 Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2007	I have to replace some ball links on my T600 head after about 350+ flights because some of them developed some amount of free play. But even with substantial play they would not come off the balls easy. So, no worry, just check them ones a while and replace when you feel if it gives some extra slop in the head.

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