Logo 6003D Build Thread

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Got my Mikado Logo 6003D in the mail today and decided to do a build thread. I'm not a professional and just want to share my first experience building the Mikado kit with the Heli Freak family. Hopefully we can all learn something new from each other along the way during this build. Feel free to chime in with questions as I'm sure to have some for you.

First let me say the quality looks really nice! Heavy duty is the one word that come to mind as I look through the pieces in the kit. First thing I looked for was the metal motor mount, and there it was. It also has a metal piece in a store stock shelf bag of a "pinion support", you will see it in the lower corner of the pics just above bag number 12. Looks as if the box was opened and it was tossed in before shipment. (Close up shot added)

The canopy is very light weight fiberglass. The main frame halves are VERY strong and well made! The kit looks like it has a lot less parts than my Roptor E620 I used to own. I like the fact that the servo mounts are molded into the frames. Very cool. The decals look lacking in the pretty department but who really cares when we have airbrushing. The tail boom is nice and thick.... bigger than I thought.

Right now I don't plan on using a V-bar because of funds. Maybe if I run into some extra cash I will go that rout.

EDIT*** Wanted to add that thier is NO bag number 4 in the kit. It states clearly in the manual that it's not supplied. Beyond me as to why, but so you know don't be alarmed when you can't find it.

[jamesotron99]

Looks awesome Jeremy.

I look foward to watching your build. Mine's been put off to xmas time, probably.

[Mercuriell]

Exciting stuff Jeremy - look forward to seeing your progress - I heard the delay in shipping was caused by waiting to add the metal motor mount !

[ozace]

Please keep it up. It wil be a fun build with the low parts count. I hope to start mine any day now.

[Automan]

Don't you think the canopy is to soft/thin ? and not the best qualityfeeling ? i will get a firmer canopy when i can, i just think this stock one is way to soft and to easy to brake almost just holding it.

Other then that, i agree with you it is a very well designed heli that looks to be able to handle anything in hard 3D, easy and with wonderful direct feedback and quick response.

Good luck with the build, it will go faster then you think. It's a real easy build, and sadly over before you start ;)

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Yes the canopy is very thin...... I thought about that and think it's just about saving weight. It's only concern to me is where the two halves of the canopy join together. I can see day light through the joint. I may reinforce the center joint with some glass just for piece of mind..... then again I may not. It may be fine just don't throw it down or kick it. But the thinness doesn't bother me at all and prefer how light it is. Only the joint may need some help. just my .02

[ozace]

My canopy is amazing, i think the plastic bag it was packed in was heavier than the canopy itself. That being said i was scared to touch it for fear of breaking it but i suspect it will be terrific.

The one major thing that stands out for me is the low parts count (or it seems that way) Just so clever in design.

[Automan]

The point where the two halfs are joined are not the best job i have seen at all... there are big gaps, but it's a easy fix... seams they did it in a real hurry.

This canopy will have to do until i get hold of anohter firmer. I dont really think you would save that much weight making it this thin, instead of a more normal canopy, but we have to see as i havent flown mine yet, still waiting for better esc and other small but important stuff.

Good luck, and please post pictures and comments as you build it.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Just finished step 1 in the manual and it went smooth. A little tedious at times getting everything in place to be tightened but no biggy.

A few thoughts about this frame. It's efin strong!!! I feel that it's a big step above the carbon fiber frames I've seen on helis. I don't really see how one could bust these frames in a crash. Maybe if you hit just right on concrete. I'm not kidding you they are very strong.

Anyways I like the way the frames go together. Once you get all the hardware in place, and start tightening, it presses together causing the small alignment eyelets to go into place.... It's snug! I have to admit I was concerned about the frames being molded right when I tried fitting them together by hand.... now I know why that doesn't work, it's not supposed to. One thing I did notice was the mainshaft bearing didn't line up straight, was hard the get the mainshaft in. I loosened the bearing clamping bolts and then slid the mainshaft back in through both bearing and retightened the bolts. PERFECT!!

Pay attention as to how the motor mount goes in place so that you don't get it flipped around backwards. Also on the belt tension pulleys, be sure you get the small plastic washer turned the correct direction. The tiny bevel faces the bearing!! Very important so get it right.

The kit has no motor pinion.... I'm sure because they don't know what motor your going to use. I got to get one on order asap!

Next is the tail!!!

EDIT*** One more thought.... The mainshaft bearings are easy to remove and service or replace!!! Good feature and shows someone is thinking at Mikado :noteworthy

[BruceW]

How do you get the bearings out once the frame is assembled? Is there a way of sliding them out or do you need to open the frame up?

Nice build thread with pictures! I'm starting to price out a Logo 5003D and figure the build will be similar to yours so I'll be watching closely.

[Big Fil]

:noteworthy:Bang

[OICU812]

GJ Jeremy, I have built 3, 5003Ds allready, I should have made a thread like this thinking about it now. I get too excited and usually build in one night and don't even barely drink water or blink while doing it is the problem, lol. Killing me seeing all you guys building your 600s', I am still waiting for mine :(. Keep the pics and info coming, very nice!

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

How do you get the bearings out once the frame is assembled? Is there a way of sliding them out or do you need to open the frame up?



No you don't need to open the frame. You just loosen the frame bolts around the bearings and they slide right out. The top bearing slides out the top and the bottom one slides out the bottom. EASY!!!;)

[ozace]

Sweet, keep it comming.
On the 5003d, i recall thinking how hard this was going to be when i did the main frame (getting the nuts in the reccesses etc) but once it was done the heli was basically done.

[HFG]

This thread is going to kill me, i had managed to talk myself out of a new heli before seeing this.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

GJ Jeremy, I have built 3, 5003Ds allready, I should have made a thread like this thinking about it now. I get too excited and usually build in one night and don't even barely drink water or blink while doing it is the problem, lol. Killing me seeing all you guys building your 600s', I am still waiting for mine :(. Keep the pics and info coming, very nice!

Thanks Shawn.

Sweet, keep it comming.
On the 5003d, i recall thinking how hard this was going to be when i did the main frame (getting the nuts in the reccesses etc) but once it was done the heli was basically done.

Yeah that was a bit daunting at first. Then read in the manual about threading each nut on the supplied rod and just pulling them through it wasn't that bad. What was bad was my friend coming over to see what I was doing. He picked up both halves of the frame causing stuff to go everywhere. :roll: Then he grabs a bag that's open and slung parts all over the workbench. :guzzle He was drunk....

[stevehonn]

The main frame is very strong and light and generally survives well in a crash but if you hit hard enough to rip the skids off then the mounts on the bottom of the frames break. This seems to be the only real weak point of the frames, mine damaged all 4 mounting points but the thought of a complete rebuild, as well of the cost of the frames was a bit hard to swallow so I've used a specialist plastic epoxy and glued the monuting nuts in place then I think I'll be using nylon screws to mount the skids in future.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

I think I'll be using nylon screws to mount the skids in future.

Thanks for the info Steve. I will go tomorrow and get some nylon screws from my LHS.

[taildriven]

Be sure to say your motor and esc setup. Maybe it can be offered as a package.

[Finless]

Great work Lith! Keep em coming :)

Bob

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Be sure to say your motor and esc setup. Maybe it can be offered as a package.

Taildriven..... The man that made it all happen!!! The kit is great! Really enjoying the build.

I will be using a CC 85HV ESC and a Actro 24-4 motor.

Great work Lith! Keep em coming :)

Bob

Thanks Bob!

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Well just finish the tail...... The quality again was spot on.

Patience.... lots of patience. The tail went together good but thier are few things I'd like to point out.

Be sure that the two sets of boom clamps are VERY loose or you will not be able to get the boom in. I tightened mine before the boom was installed and thought I could simply loosen them up, not so and my mistake.:arggg: It took some time to get the boom clamps spread back apart. I finally gained enough clearance to install the boom. The parts are very tight in tolerance. So PLEASE..... leave the boom clamps VERY loose until the boom is in place. The boom needs to be flush with the rear most boom clamp. That's very important when you tighten the belt tension later in the build. When you get to the point of tightening the boom clamps make certain that it's equally tight on the top and bottom. It plays a major roll in the squarness of the tail case.

Another thing is to make sure you get the left side frame turned in the right direction. I had mine upside down and had to remove the pieces and mount them on the other side.:arggg: The manual is still in an early stage of print and it was ran off a copy machine making it very difficult to see the detail of the pieces and how they go. I recommend Mikado to blow up that portion of the manual. It would have made things much easier.

The grips have thrust bearings!!! Big plus on this kit. Get the thrust bearings installed with the races in the right order. Larger ID (inside diameter) race towards the hub and the smaller ID (inside diameter) race towards the grip. Use some white lithium grease to keep them moving free.

Be careful not to overtighten the tailbelt idler pulley. You want it nice a free with no binding!

I like the way the tail is designed in terms of keeping it light, however I fear that in a crash this will be a weak point. We'll see. The tail on this heli is loaded with parts so pay attention, be patient and take a few breaks. You will get together!!:thumbup:

Next is the main gear & tail rotor assembly!

EDIT*** Bellow is a pdf link of the manual.

[BruceW]

Here is a link to an actual PDF file of the build manual (13MB). It is newer than the one distributed by some other sites and is dated 9/16/07 so it should contain updated information. Just right-click and save as a file.

http://www.mikado-heli.de/shop/logo500dx/manual_newgeneration25.pdf

Also, here is a direct link to the Mikado site (presented in German and English):

http://mikado.e-vendo.de/

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

BruceW.... Thank you for the pdf link.:noteworthy I wish I had this earlier, would have been a big help making the tail assembly a lot easier. Wasn't fun looking at a fuzzy copy machine pic. I'm sure once Mikado gets more of these kits out they will include a nicely printed one.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

Here is a shot of the tail boom flushed out with the rear most boom clamp.