Lepton build question and confusion

[metalhead1986]

I am smack in the middle of building my Lepton and have run across a problem with one of the parts. When assembling the washout, there are two small washers that go between the washout arms and the washout. The washers that came with my kit have an ID that is too small to fit over the screws that are used to hold the arms to the washout block. The washer is too small to fit on the screw.

Has anyone else had this problem? Since this is my first heli build, I am looking for guidance as to where to go to get the correct washers. Is MRC the distributor for the Lepton, and if so should I contact them? Or is there some other route that I should take?

As a last resort, I guess I could try to find washers to buy that match these ones, only with the correct ID, but I would rather get the correct ones if possible.

The confusion with my build surrounds the bag of hardware that came in the paperwork bag. There are rubber grommets which I am pretty sure are for the canopy, although I have not gotten that far yet. There are also a bunch of really tiny screws but no paper telling me what these screws are for. Does anyone know what these tiny screws are for? I don't want to mess up something with the build since I am sure these screws go somewhere.

Thanks,

Steve

[Finless]

YOu might want to review my build videos here:

http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=14647

I have not heard of people getting the wrong sized washer so make sure you didnt use the correct washer in the wrong place on some other step!

Bob

[metalhead1986]

Hey Bob,

I review each of your steps before commencing the build for that step (except there is no build video for the washout that I can find, lucky for me). I then go over the step in the manual thoroughly, including going through the parts in the bag for just that step. Any other unused parts are kept in a safe separate location, as you suggest in many of your videos :D

These two small washers came out of the bag for the washout step. I know that for sure. Using my trusty digital calipers, I just measures both the screw and the washer. The screw measures 2mm x 8mm exactly as I was sure it would, but the ID of the washer is around 1.95mm or so. I can get the washer over the first thread, but it gets stuck at this point.

I wonder if maybe this washer was bagged wrong or something because it definitely is the wrong size.

Still looking for ideas on where to go to get the right size washer. I don't want to screw up the head so I want to make sure I have the right washer.

As a side note, how do you read the nomenclature for the washers? I have figured out what the numbers mean for all the other types of hardware, but not the washers. This washer is called out as a 1.7 in the manual, and I don't know what this means.

Thanks again,

Steve

[Gus]

Metalhead1986

Contact Jeff at MRC. He will take care of you!!!

mrcsupport@modelrectifier.com
or call 732-225-2100

Gus...

[demosa]

The washers in my kit where too small too.
However, if you notice the manual it actually says that the washers are 1.7mm inner diam. while the screws that fit through them are 2mm.

I don't think this is a mistake. What I did was to take a littel bit of 220 grit sand paper, make a little roll of it and insert it into the washer. Turn it a few times. The screw will eventually go through enough to grab on the washout and then just screw it in carefully and slowly.
It worked great for me.

[demosa]

Another option is to use the tiny 2mm washers that are used in the TRex450 washout. I have lots of those laying around.

But you can make the ones that come with the Lepton kit work too.

[Finless]

STrange I did not have that problem (at least I dont recall having it) but obviously they changed the washers in the kit since I did it almost a year ago.

As demosa suggests I would just take a small rat tail file or some sand paper and enlarge the ID a little.

Bob

[demosa]

I think it's because most 2mm washers have larger than 2mm inner diam. and they wouldn't sit perfectly on the inside race of the bearing when the screw is tightened. By using a slightly smaller ID washer it is a tight fit through the screw and it'll sit exactly centered against the inner race of the bearing.

[metalhead1986]

That makes sense demosa, but it is odd that no mention of this was made in the manual anywhere.

I knew I bought that file set for a reason. :glasses2:

Bob - I figured that they had changed since you did the videos as the manual now has the stuff in the addendum in your videos incorporated into the manual. There is a new addendum and the little bag with the screws in it that I have not figured out where they go yet (not with the addendum though).

Thanks for the advice. I will get filing. If that proves to be problematic, I will contact Jeff at MRC. Although, he will probably echo what you guys told me to do. :arggg:

Steve

[demosa]

Hm, that's interesting. My Lepton kit didn't have an addendum at all but the old addendum (the one in Bob's videos) was incorporated in the manual.

What is the new addendum about ?

[metalhead1986]

demosa - The changes in the addendum in Bob's videos are also incorporated into my manual. I will check the new addendum when I get back to the build this weekend and post what the new addendum is all about. I will probably also post a picture of the small screws to see if someone knows what they are for before I miss something and have to go back.

Bob does it again. I broke out my round rat tail file and took off the least amount of material possible to make the washers fit over the screws, and everything went together on the wash-out perfectly.

Thanks again. This site is proving to be more valuable than I ever thought, although it is also causing me to want to spend more and more money. I keep telling myself I need to learn to fly my Lepton before I buy another heli, but the urge is getting stronger.

I feel that a T-Rex 600E is not far off if I cannot control my addiction :glasses2:

Steve

[Finless]

I feel that a T-Rex 600E is not far off if I cannot control my addiction


:lolol :lolol :lolol :lolol

I know the feeling!

Glad you got it sorted out. YES please post a pic of the screws and stuff int he bag and maybe we can figure out where they go.

Bob

[rotodingo]

Rats are our friends. Good knew what he was doing by creating it :D .

Nicolas

[ArthurKnowles]

I'm not 100% sure, but it sounds like the screws are the ones intended to mount the windshield to the canopy.

[metalhead1986]

That makes sense. The screws are very small and look like they would be perfect for mounting the canopy window.

I will post a picture of the screws soon. I am on vacation with the family now and away from my build. :( I get home this weekend, so I will post a picture then.

Steve