Beam E4 build Vids

[helibird]

Got mine flying today what a nice heli! Flew great, only thing I'm planning on doing to it (besides flying the crap out of it) is the tail mod. Held fine just could tell that tail servo was working pretty hard. Don't think the fireup jig will work but I'll figure out a way.

Setup:
Beam E4 stock kit
Align 325 CF blades (I didn't have time to balance the ones with the kit but will give them a try)
Align 430XL motor
Align 35X ESC
Logitech 2100T gyro
JR 3400G tail servo
HS65MG x 3
Flightpower 3s2170 batts
Spektrum 6100 rx

[Nazar78]

i too hav my mixer arm molded wrongly. I juz squeeze`em in, few flights seems ok. i also have 3 missing caps. this concludes 2 issues on da packaging.

For da freeplay on my tail, can't wait to see your vid Bob! I can twist da tail blades and da tail blade grips can change like -/+ 1-2 deg each sides. I did something to prevent this, but have to wait till the expert video hehe...

[Stricker22]

Beam build is complete and I have to say it fly's sweet!
Very fast in forward flight, power to weight ratio feels great, agile and easily loops, rolls, inverted with no complaints.

I am running the Mega Motor 16/15/3 with a Castle 35 & BEC in governer mode. This heli also runs very quiet.

Even though there were a couple minor build issues, the design and flight on this heli is great.

Very fun to fly!
:clappp

[helibird]

Man I dig that orange canopy, advantage doesn't show it on their website anymore or I'd be ordering one right now. I've got that red and black one and it's pretty good but hard to see in low light.

On a sidenote, anyone try to paint the stock white one yet? Was thinking a nice yellow canopy would look good with all that black and silver.

[ROne21]

I've been in and out of this thread for the past weeks at least 3 times a day checking to see if there are new build vids up and I come up with nothing. I hate to think Bob has abandoned this build...I hope not.

[huskynox]

I called and emailed Advantage about the washout links. Len wasn't available. I left a message, but he hasn't returned the call. I haven't heard back by email either :(

No huge hurry here. I'm working so much lately I don't even have time to fly my sim!

[helibird]

Don't let the build vids hold you up this heli goes together very well and straight forward especially if you have built a trex before. The setup is the same maybe a little easier because the servo output shafts are all in the same plane.

The arms work fine don't let that stop you from finishing the build. You can get them on backward, just use a little more force or remove the ball install the link then screw it back in. I've got about 10 flights on mine with them backward no problem.

[blade strike]

I've been in and out of this thread for the past weeks at least 3 times a day checking to see if there are new build vids up and I come up with nothing. I hate to think Bob has abandoned this build...I hope not.


I was thinking the same I just order one and it should be here tomorrow. Not like we need the vidoes to build this heli but it does worry me:(

Bob can you let us know whats up???

[Finless]

No guys I have not dropped the project! As you know I was on vacation and then the Birmingham event in Alabama. This week was catch up with my REAL job etc.
Anyway shot a bunch of vids and posted them tonight! They are in the list now

Tail Rotor Assembly
Servo Install
Head and Main gear install
Head and link setup

Enjoy
Bob

[blade strike]

No guys I have not dropped the project! As you know I was on vacation and then the Birmingham event in Alabama. This week was catch up with my REAL job etc.
Anyway shot a bunch of vids and posted them tonight! They are in the list now

Tail Rotor Assembly
Servo Install
Head and Main gear install
Head and link setup

Enjoy
Bob

thanks bob, :smokin:

[huskynox]

I encountered a problem with 1 of 4 of my mixing/washout arms. One of them was very notchy when the screw was fully tightened to my washout block. I thought maybe it was bad bearings, but I tried new bearings and encountered the same thing. I couldn't figure out what the heck was wrong, so I looked into different designs and noticed that most have a washer or spacer in between the 2 bearings.

What I did is pull an extra small washer ( 2 x 3.6 x .2 ) from my Trex 450 parts bag and installed it in between the 2 bearings, exactly the same as the Trex 450 manual calls out, and what do you know, it was perfectly smooth.

I don't know why BEAM didn't design the E4 in this way, but like I said, I only had to do it on 1 of the arms.

I thought I'd share this in case someone else encounters this problem. It took me a little time and thought to figure it out because again, the first 3 arms I assembled were perfectly smooth....

[blade strike]

Thanks husky for the tip! I do have to say these issues started making me have 2nd thoughts on getting this heli, but EVERY 450 class heli IMHO has small issue, it's all about how easy they are to fix. I dont see any of these to be of any major concern.
I will be getting mine today from the UPS man! Really looks like a nice heli :thumbup:

[helibird]

I had the same problem with one of my arms as well, no biggie put a small washer in there and it was fine. That ridge was probably just barely too big and causing the binding. I don't have the measurements from the washer it is actually the one from the trex that goes between the tail control arm and the tail case. I found a package at my local hobby shop of the same size, I think they were from dubro.

I wouldn't let small things like this stop you from buying the kit. It really is an excellent build and you've got to remember this is pretty much the first version, no way the first version of the trex went together this well.

[blade strike]

you've got to remember this is pretty much the first version, no way the first version of the trex went together this well.

you got that right!

[helibird]

Got the tail mod done can't wait to fly it this afternoon! The grips are pretty close to the trex but due to the arm on them being angled I don't think the fireup jig will work. I don't have one so I couldn't try so maybe someone can chime in.

[huskynox]

I agree, these are very small issues.

I think it's funny how BEAM says they designed the plastic washout links so that the "cup" is backwards so that they don't pop off. Good recovery! HA!

I still love this kit so far! The parts on this heli are beautiful! I can't wait to fly it!

[Finless]

I was going to look at the weight mod after the build... I like to build a new heli stock to learn it's querks and problems first before doing any heavy modding. Anyway I WILL see if Fireup's jig will make the tail grip mod...

Bob

[helibird]

[quote] I like to build a new heli stock to learn it's querks and problems first before doing any heavy modding[/quote}

Same here, I have about 10 flights on it without the mod. It actually did quite well but I could tell that the tail was straining in tight funnels and other manuevers. I expect it to make as much difference as it did on the 450 (pretty much the same tail!).

Hey just curious but how about seeing if we can get a BEAM HELI Section?? This thread seems to be the only place to post stuff and it's already like 15 pages long.

[steve90210]

If my vote counts, i vote for a beam section.

Just got mine in today, should be a fun weekend building.

[Finless]

Lets see how popular the Beam gets... If we get enough people talking about it then yea we would make a sub forum for it.

Bob

[huskynox]

Bob, maybe this question has been asked before, but I've never seen it through all the posts I've read....

How many Heli's have you built....?

We should have a guessing poll on this :)

[Finless]

OK guess.... I wont count the helis when I was into it in the 80. Only stuff since 2004.

The winner gets a "finless award" ;)

Oh and if you can name them all extra credit! I have posted before all what I have built but it was a while ago.

Bob

[odieser]

Here let's see if I am close others can add here
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=67576
Mark

[blade strike]

well I received my kit yesterday and it does seem mine is a newer one than bobs. I have marked bags, manual is a bit different, head is about 50% built with BG's on. I do have to say the quality looks pretty damn good I will let you guys know more once I start the build!

[huskynox]

OK, I'm gonna vent!!! I love the quality of the parts in this kit, but I'm tired of missing parts! Everytime I go to build anything, I'm missing something. The thing that sucks is it takes forever for Advantage or BEAM USA or whomever is running the show to get me what I'm missing!

The first thing I noticed missing was the Upper and Lower Carbon Gyro Mounts, and the Carbon Radio Mount. I called to get these pieces replaced over a week ago and was told they would be sent by priority mail. I never recieved them, so I called only to find out they hadn't been sent (by mistake).

So, I move on to other areas of the BEAM this weekend. I started on the tail tonight. As soon as I start building it comes to a stop within 5 minutes, same as the main frame did. On the tail I'm missing the Pitch Lever Holder.

So I decide to start looking at other areas of the kit within the manual for missing parts only to find out I'm also missing the Carbon Servo Mount Plates and all the Servo Mounting Hardware.

Again, I love the quality of the parts in this kit, but this has got to be the most disappointing build I've ever done!

Advantage or BEAM USA needs to step up to the plate and find out what's up with the factories QC, AND get missing parts out to their customers at a much faster pace!