What kind of specialized tools do I need to set up my T-Rex?

[CraterMaker]

I watched most of the finless videos and two things really stood out: ball joint pliers and blade pitch gauge. I assume that the 450SA doesn't come with either? Are there any other specialized tools I need to properly setup my helicopter? I have lots of "normal" tools already covered: soldering iron, allen drivers, even watt meters and RPM tach (from my parkflier tool kit).

Also, if you could list the best "value" you have found for them, that would be appreciated (Brand and/or model number). Thanks!

[octotus]

add to these a good digital calipers - u will praise the lord with it.

[CraterMaker]

Didn't think about that. Fortunately, I already have one! Thanks.

[cholyoake]

and a ball link re sizer.

[MicroMan]

How about a Blade Balancer.

[Flying Cat]

I just purchased my first T-Rex 450 and before ordering the heli, I made a list with all the parts, spares, and tools needed so I could get all in the least number of orders.

Here is my list:

PARTS FOR NEW T-REX 450 HELI
3 - Hitec HS-65MG servos
Futaba GY401 Giro
Futaba digital servo S9650
Align Flybar weigh set $1.99 (HS1194)
Landing Skid silicon nuts $3.20 (HS022-1)
Gorilla landing gear
Inverted Giro Mount $13.95 (ReadyHeli.com)

SPARE PARTS
Main blades 325 wood $12.99 (HS1158)
Main shafts $7.98 (HS1011) (HS1217 high carbon $10.95)
Main gears (set: HS1218-84 $17.99) (3 main gears only: HS1219-84 $8.99)
Main bearing
Fly bars rods $3.99 (HS1184)
Fly bar paddles
Spindles / Feathering shafts $5.80 (HS1003)
Gorilla Tail blades
Tail Booms $7.20 (HS1041)
one way bearing $6.99 (HS1229)
Spare fins (HS1043 $6.95 or carbon: HS1055 $13.95)
drive belt

TOOLS
pitch gauge
ball link sizing tool
Triflow Lubricant
blade balancer
Align one way bearing removal tool
Double-sided foam tape
velcro straps
Nylon cable ties
Li-Po alarm
T-Rex swash plate leveler

If you are a newbie like me, do get the swash plate leveler to ensure perfect swash alignment.

Enjoy,

Flying Cat

[CraterMaker]

Could you elaborate on these please as to what advantage they add? I guess Gorilla landing gear are stronger, but what do the other two do?

Align Flybar weigh set $1.99 (HS1194)
Landing Skid silicon nuts $3.20 (HS022-1)
Gorilla landing gear

[octotus]

hs1194- will tame cyclics

[Flying Cat]

The Gorilla landing gear is nearly unbreakable and it acts as shock absorber, so it is worth getting.

The extra set of Align Flybar weights. According to trextuning.com, putting an extra pair of flybar weights makes the T-Rex more docile. So I followed his advice and my T-Rex currently has 2 weighs on each side of the flybar (total of 4). The T-Rex comes with 2, so I purchased the extra pair.

Landing skid silicon nuts: Do not need to get them. It turns out that the T-Rex already comes with them.

Enjoy,

Flying Cat

[ghtracey]

RPM tach (from my parkflier tool kit).


You need an optical tach (one you look through with a shutter, when the blades are still you have the RPM) not a standard propeller tach. Well, unless you really want to reach over your heli's spinning rotors and hold a tach 2 inches or so from the rotor head.....

[CraterMaker]

You need an optical tach (one you look through with a shutter, when the blades are still you have the RPM) not a standard propeller tach. Well, unless you really want to reach over your heli's spinning rotors and hold a tach 2 inches or so from the rotor head.....

Like the kind for automotive applications?

Also, why can't I measure at the blade tips? Doesn't seem like that would be any more dangerous than measuring a prop.

[ghtracey]

No its not an automotive tach. Its a viewfinder that you look through that has a shutter that opens and closes very fast. You adjust the shutter speed until you see the blades not moving in the viewfinder then look at the readout for your RPM. (Actually its not a tachometer, its a stroboscope http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroboscope )

You generally want to check RPM in a hover.... do you really want to walk up to a hovering heli and put your tach 2 inches above the blades? With an optical tach someone else can tach your heli as you fly it, even while doing 3d.

http://www.heliproz.com/minairtach.html

[CraterMaker]

You generally want to check RPM in a hover.... do you really want to walk up to a hovering heli and put your tach 2 inches above the blades?
No, I would not! :Slap Didn't realize measurement was taken while hovering...

[SoftwareDrone]

I realized that this would be a much better thread to post my question. :-)

Microheli sells an adjustable ball link sizing tool. JR sells one that is not. Recommendations?
Thanks!
:-)
Mike

[Pinecone]

JR is adjustable. You loosen or tighten a set screw in the end.