RDLohr's TREX 450 Flybar Locks

[rdlohr]

I've always wanted to lock my flybar level while I adjust my pitch but never had a good way to do it. I started playing last night and came up with this little device. Seems pretty cool so far.

http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=3448&pictureid=26379




Edit: This thread is now the composite thread of all the freebies for all my flybar locks. This thread started a whole line of flybar locks that I've had nothing but positive feedback about. I had all the freebie thread merged into just this one thread to avoid cluttering up the Upgrades forums but not lose peoples great feedback and pictures. I've got flybar Locks for the TREX 450 XL, V1, V2, Sport, and the Pro as well as locks for the TREX 500, 500 ESP, 600 and 600ESP. If you've never used a flybar lock, you will be amazed at how much it simplifies fine tuning of your pitch ranges. I hope you like them!

I also have some cool tools for your FBL TREXs and Logos.

Here is the final design as shown for the TREX 600.
http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=3448&pictureid=32152

You can PM me, email me, or get them at ReadyHeli. .
http://clearly.wavelandps.com/
http://www.readyheli.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=rdlohr

Thanks
Rick

[rdlohr]

http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=3448&pictureid=26378

[4n6days]

I can't quite tell in the first photo what this device is doing to lock the flybar.

More info? Photos?

[rdlohr]

It wedges between the flybar seesaw and the Main Rotor Housing and locks the seesaw from teetering.
Rick

[DominicD]

Jeeze Rick a V1 !!! Why not break out the 450XL !!! And you are still using a head button !! Where did i go wrong with you ?

[rdlohr]

Jeeze Rick a V1 !!! Why not break out the 450XL !!! And you are still using a head button !! Where did i go wrong with you ?
LOL. It flies great!

You bring up a good point though. Will a similar lock work for the newer heads?
Rick

[DominicD]

Doubt it, they are a different geometry.

[Laurens]

Seems like a very good idea Rick!

[N017RW]

I use a similar [home made] device to Mr. Lohr's. Seemed obvious to me too.

Why wouldn't a SIMILAR lock work [for the new heads]?

Maybe some dimensions, profiles, contours, etc. have changed but overall the seesaw is the same, No?

I can't see why it wouldn't work.

[pwoodyp]

Here's the one I put together awhile back. Got the idea from a retail version I found around ... jus forget Who (wasn't Norton seez a who) ... Lundd was that Teh ONE :noteworthy Oh well sure it will come to someones mind soon enough :thumbup:

http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=1415&pictureid=21294

[Wolfpackin]

I started playing last night and came up with this little device. Seems pretty cool so far.

Rick, I want one already...how much?:lol:

I always struggle to level the flybar consistantly when checking collective and cyclic pitch at different positions. I usually use the foam blade holder when the paddles are over the boom but that's a little inconsistant and not possible to do with the paddles in a different orientation.

My Blade 400 had a slot in the head block that allowed a thin allen key to be slid through the head and over the set screws of the flybar cage. That held the paddles steady and level in any rotational orientation.

It's not that easy to do with the Trex450's for me.

[caralmar]

ReadyHeli.com sells one like that... its just a small strip of carbon.

http://www.readyheli.com/Custom_Heli_Parts_Trex_450_Flybar_lock_p/chp-t4010.htm

I have the one for the 500 and it works well... just don't forget to take it out before you spool up! Don't ask me why I'm reminding you... :(

[rdlohr]

ReadyHeli.com sells one like that... its just a small strip of carbon.

http://www.readyheli.com/Custom_Heli_Parts_Trex_450_Flybar_lock_p/chp-t4010.htm

I have the one for the 500 and it works well... just don't forget to take it out before you spool up! Don't ask me why I'm reminding you... :(
Geez, they even call it a "Flybar Lock". LOL, I guess there are only so many names for a given function. I made mine with the handle to make sure I didn't forget it.

Rick

[rdlohr]

Rick, I want one already...how much?:lol:

I always struggle to level the flybar consistantly when checking collective and cyclic pitch at different positions. I usually use the foam blade holder when the paddles are over the boom but that's a little inconsistant and not possible to do with the paddles in a different orientation.

My Blade 400 had a slot in the head block that allowed a thin allen key to be slid through the head and over the set screws of the flybar cage. That held the paddles steady and level in any rotational orientation.

It's not that easy to do with the Trex450's for me.
PM me your shipping name and address and I'll send you a free one. I'll give a few away and if people like them, I'll start selling them.

Rick

[DominicD]

Rick here is the one i made for my 550

http://www.helifreak.com/showpost.php?p=1503652&postcount=3

[rdlohr]

Rick here is the one i made for my 550

http://www.helifreak.com/showpost.php?p=1503652&postcount=3
Sweet!
Rick

[wrstew]

Rick- so these will be for the V1, or will they work with V2, sport, Pro, etc>? Have 2 of the V1 that have not yet been upgraded, looks like a usefull tool. Thanks, Randy

[rdlohr]

Rick- so these will be for the V1, or will they work with V2, sport, Pro, etc>? Have 2 of the V1 that have not yet been upgraded, looks like a usefull tool. Thanks, Randy
Thanks Randy, I would have to get a head for each of those helis to design a similar lock. If people really like the V1 version, I'll definitely consider doing that. I'll send you one too. PM me your shipping name and address.
Rick

[rdlohr]

OK. I just ran a batch. I adjusted all the edges to assure that everything in the head can move freely through a full 12+ degrees pos and neg. Worked pretty sweet. I like it. For those of you getting the freebies, send me your shipping names and addresses quick and I'll get one right out to you. Thanks for all the quick PMs.

http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=3448&pictureid=26396


http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=3448&pictureid=26395


No more freebies now. I'm thinking I can do these for $10 each. If that seems high or low, tell me.

Thanks
Rick

[rdlohr]

All parts are packaged up ready to go out tomorrow except Wolfpackin's. I need your shipping name and address. Thanks for your help. I'm having a blast!

Rick

[rdlohr]

Since this is close to a real product now, I'll move this to aftermarket parts.
Rick

[rdlohr]

Do you guys that got locks like them? How do they work?

Rick

[Wolfpackin]

I just tried out my rdlohr flybar lock and all I can say is "Wow, put the fun back into head setup.":YeaBaby:

My OCD anal retentive condition forces me to try for the most precise pitch setup everytime I tune my heli. One of the things that has always bothered me is the inability to get repeatable and accurate collective and cyclic pitch readings due to the flybar not being exactly level or not being in exactly the same position when I switch blades or turn the rotor blades.

Let's face it, pitch readings are only as accurate as the human eye's ability to see level or aligned planes. Add into that mix the task of making the flybar perfectly level, 90° to the main shaft, and you have two areas for error. This makes pitch readings, at least in my experience, very inaccurate and inconsistant.

Well, Rick has solved the flybar leveling problem with his new flybar lock tool.
I've tried eyeballing, cutting a foam blade holder along with some other not so great ideas. This tool works flawlessly.

Once the tool is put into position the rotor disk can be turned in any orientation. This enables the user to take collective pitch readings with the blades on either side of the heli (or in any random orientation), and to take cyclic pitch measurements for AIL and ELE, all without having to remove or reset the tool. Consistancy is now attainable.

IMO, this flybar lock is now on the list of must have setup tools right along side the pitch gauge and swashplate leveling tool.

Great job, Rick!:clappp

[rdlohr]

I just tried out my rdlohr flybar lock and all I can say is "Wow, put the fun back into head setup.":YeaBaby:

My OCD anal retentive condition forces me to try for the most precise pitch setup everytime I tune my heli. One of the things that has always bothered me is the inability to get repeatable and accurate collective and cyclic pitch readings due to the flybar not being exactly level or not being in exactly the same position when I switch blades or turn the rotor blades.

Let's face it, pitch readings are only as accurate as the human eye's ability to see level or aligned planes. Add into that mix the task of making the flybar perfectly level, 90° to the main shaft, and you have two areas for error. This makes pitch readings, at least in my experience, very inaccurate and inconsistant.

Well, Rick has solved the flybar leveling problem with his new flybar lock tool.
I've tried eyeballing, cutting a foam blade holder along with some other not so great ideas. This tool works flawlessly.

Once the tool is put into position the rotor disk can be turned in any orientation. This enables the user to take collective pitch readings with the blades on either side of the heli (or in any random orientation), and to take cyclic pitch measurements for AIL and ELE, all without having to remove or reset the tool. Consistancy is now attainable.

IMO, this flybar lock is now on the list of must have setup tools right along side the pitch gauge and swashplate leveling tool.

Great job, Rick!:clappp

Excellent! You just made my day. Glad it worked out!
Rick

[rdlohr]

I'm really interested to hear which heads it works on, and which it doesn't. I'll make multiple versions as necessary. Hopefully the clones match up with the Align versions. What I know so far:

Align V1/V2 (SA Metal Head): Works great
CopterX V2: A little tight on . (May required a little sanding) (Wolfpackin)
Align Plastic seesaw: Dougb returned filed down version. I CADed it. I need to mill it and send to doug to try)
Align Sport (V3): Need data (Dougb filed one up. caralmar sending me a head)
Align Pro: I plan to buy a Pro for Christmas that I can used to make a lock

Just so you know, I made it pretty tight on purpose to assure it holds in place and really locks the flybar. It will push in past the lever arm, but not clear to the cylinder.

Also, sounds like $10 is a reasonable price.

Rick