You guys that fly Vblades, got a ?

[gordohigh]

I just removed my new 710mm vblades from my IonX, and noticed something really weird. In fact, I am taking them back for an exchange. (only flown twice, and no crash or hard landing and no blade contact)

I have photos but they are shiney, and the pics may not show it, but on both blades, on the leading edge, both in the exact same spot there is a pin hole into the middle of the blade. Then, on one,(and this shows for sure, and If you look at that photo you can also see the pin hole, (on the one blade) on the edge adjacent to the circle), there is a circle that does not have a resin finish. I mean, it looks like carbon fiber cloth.

These are brand new, and are obviously defective, but I wonder what these things are. Maybe a hole to shoot foam in? I dont know but does anyone have a clue what the process is, and what was not completed on these blades???

I can't see the first photos,(too much light/flash) but the second one you can clearly see the circle without resin, and if you look carefully to the left of it, you can see the little circle /pinhole in the edge of the blade. Bothe blades have the pinhole in the edge, but only one has the circle with bare carbon fiber.....WTF???

[mudbogger2]

Those are normal and found on every set.

The round pathces are for balancing and the pinholes are for gas or heat escape from the inside of the blades.

[gordohigh]

A patch of dry cf, and pin holes? What causes that. I have not seen that on any other blade!!

[WayneBrown]

not everyone uses the same process to build blades either.
It is a normal finish, they are not defective.

[gordohigh]

OK, I'm not downing them, if this is part of the process, ok then. I just want to know why they are like this. And, why is that (dry) carbon fiber circle only on one blade? Can anyone explain please?

[WayneBrown]

First off, it's not carbon fiber it's epoxy.
V Blades have a wood core, and are wrapped with woven carbon fiber and vaccum bagged to squeeze the resin into the wood and CF creating a bond.
the pinhole is where air must escape the bag/blade and enter the vaccum pump.
The epoxied hole is where two actions occur, first the resin is injected, second the excess resin is removed through the same area. The epoxy patch is to seal that hole, and if you notice is on the bottom of the blade.
find a set that has been crashed and all the construction I described is visable..

[gordohigh]

First off, it's not carbon fiber it's epoxy

Thank you for the explanation Wayne. The only part I can't get, is the part where you say it is not dry carbon fiber. Mine is definately dry carbon fiber. I can take a knife blade and run it between the fibers. Also, The pin holes are not sealed, they are still holes, so, Is this ok.?

Also, Why is the patch only on one blade?
I didnt mean to upset anyone. This site has always been known for learning, and thats all Im trying to do at this point.

The biggest reason I am asking all this, is I don't want a blade flying apart, possibly injuring someone, or me. Safety is a big concern with 710mm blades, to say the least. The blades are beautiful, and If all the above is good to go, then great, just asking some important questions, (to me)

[WayneBrown]

I can't answer the fiber thing, I don't know the answer.
Inherently, some blades will be heavier than others and the patched place is also used to static balance the blades.
All the sets I have currently on choppers have the patch. Come to think of it, most of the blades I've ever seen had a patch too.
I can tell you one thing, no BS or spin on it at all.. You buy a quality set of blades to FLY, not sit under a microscope. I enjoy flying V Blades, even if they have a blemish, they are still better than anything you can get for less money.
Out of curiousity, what weight are your blades? Should have it handwritten on the package label.

[MAIONX]

i have hit my vblades on the ground and slightly cracked the tips, so i put a tiny bit of ca on the crack, and i don't go easy on the blades, they have not come close to going outta track etcetc.

those things are PERFECTLY normal, JUST FLY THEM :mrgreen: and i think those plugs underneath the blades are fibre epoxy i think it is.

[OICU812]

All my Vs' have those same holes, and balancing circles etc, all fly very well. :wink:

[gordohigh]

OK, so that'a the way they balance them (the circle part). To be honest, I was worried about the air entering in and causing a failure, but as I see they all have them with no problems.

I have several sets of MAH, and SF, and never saw that on any of them, but as Wayne said, not everyone builds their blades the same.

I am happy with the blades, was just a little shocked when I firs saw this, but now I understand, thanks for all the info... :)

[DavidH]

A phone call and you can get all your questions answered. Vic and the VBlade crew will be happy to explain it all to you. What everyone above has told is correct. The compositive blades I have flown all have a bleed hole somewhere to let the blades breath when being flown.

V Blade contact info.

Phone (417) 278-4000
Fax (417) 278-3701
Email info@vblades.com
orders@vblades.com

Mail Campbell Manufacturing
P.O. Box 339
Sparta, Missouri 65753
United States of America

or

Campbell Manufacturing
335 North Avenue
Sparta, Missouri 65753
United States of America

[gordohigh]

A phone call and you can get all your questions answered

Thanks, but I do believe everyone,I just wanted to make sure they understood my particular circumstance.... :wink: Thanks again everyone!

[Tim Tompkins]

I sort of , find it interesting that you waited until after a couple of flights to see this. I have had a few sets and I first saw the holes as I took them out of the box. I too thought it looked flawed , but I was WRONG! Fly them and love them. TimT