need help. ion-x build

[sm1nts2escape]

Well I got the head finished I wish they would have you install the main blade axle with the circlips first and once you get them into place finish the blade holders cause I had to dissasemble mine to get the sceond circlip on :badair: It was so tight to get the second circlip on when I was using the small aluminum tube to push it into place using the bolts it bend on the ends.But I finnaly got it done.Here is a pic of it finished with the paddles installed it is a hair heavy on one end.I centered the flybar using a digital caliper and taking many many measurements to get it perfect.This thing so far is proving alot harder to assemble than my nitro revo :shock:I hope the build isn't going to be this tuff the whole way.

[Laddy]

I have had this happen before. They installed the 2.5mm Pem Nuts by mistake. It is no big deal to re-tap them 3mm. You will have to drill them out to the correct size for a 3mm tap.
OR you can build other parts and call MinAir Monday.

[sm1nts2escape]

I messed up looked at the next set of drawings and seen I was wrong.

[Laddy]

I would be not. :)

[OICU812]

lol revo,,, welcome to helis, a big mecano set they all are, that is one of the best parts is the challenge to build and the challenge to make em fly. :wink:

[sm1nts2escape]

I with stupid :oops: {--
I went to the next set of drawings and I was trying to put the channell with the bearing in one of the servo pem nuts.Duh big brain fart there.I was tired.Anyways got that all sorted out so moved on but my lower bearing block is missing the bearing that holds the tail shaft so I still have to call min air on monday.Oh well I guess I will trade my mistake for one of theres.Apparently we are human :) So I am still moving on in the build.Just got the elevator bellcrank installed and right frame held on by that :D I lossely installed the tail stuff in the frame without any locktite and losselely installed the pinion block for the motor too till I get the bearing and farther int the build where I know what to do and the main shaft is loose also.So I will have to go all over that with locktite and align and tighten her down when I get to that step.

[sm1nts2escape]

Just wondering if that little white fan for the single stage in the picture comes with the motor cause my single stage kit did't come with it?

[sm1nts2escape]

Well for today I got alot done here are a few pics of my progress.You can see in one of them that the bearing for the tail is missing.

[sm1nts2escape]

bearing is missing for tail

[sm1nts2escape]

3rd pic

[sm1nts2escape]

These da :twisted: instructions are making it alot tougher and longer to build.I have found a few mess ups that I hope will be corrected when they come out with the new ion.The tail is taking some time I couldn't get the boom to go in the way it should.I installed the boom clamps in backwards and it took me some time to figure out that the boom clamps needed to be fliped around :arggg:

[sm1nts2escape]

Got the tail done.

[sm1nts2escape]

Tail boom and supports.

[sm1nts2escape]

I still got some things to do but I think I got the hard stuff done this weekend.It looks like a helicopter now :D Can't wait to get it flying.I have to find a spot to keep this thing away from the cat now.It likes to try and swat at the flybar paddles.I will call ma tommorow aout the lower bearing block missing the bearing for the tail and see if the little white fan is suppose to come with the single stage kit.

[sm1nts2escape]

Well I read the instructions and glued my pushrod for the tail last night and go to install it today and I noticed it is way too long.Called ma they said that graves gave me a full length pushrod and that It should have been cut to 28.75 inches.The one for the ion comes pre-cut.So I had to get ma to send me another piece of threaded rod.I guess graves got me again.

[t-rexn8]

This is cool. I finishing my Ion in the last few months and it was challenging compared to a T-rex or Swift or similar. Although I must say that if the instructions were laid out together in one book like Align instructions it would move quicker. Not a big deal though. I really liked the head design because of the enclosed dampening within the head. When I glued up my tail control rod it ended up being too short so I just went to the LHS and picked up some carbon rod and some long 3x50mm bolts. I cut the head off the bolts and cut the rod to length and epoxied.
I liked this method because the bolts are hardened steel not that cheap stuff in the kit. No offence. :glasses2: Its funny how naked the Ion looks untill it is near complete. You will not be dissapointed with the Ion. It is a fun helicopter to fly.

[sm1nts2escape]

Well I think it was alittle more difficult for me because one this is my first helicopter and two I upgraded to the stratus flybar carrier and single stage kit so I had to work off of three sets of instructions and a set of drawings. :shock: I have to say now though if I were to build another one it would take no time at all.I am getting my head servos,reciever and blades next week so I can set the swash and program the radio.I am very pleased with the construction of the heli.Everything was cut and machined perfect everything fit like a glove.I can't wait to get it flying.