CF Tube Diameter?

[surgicalCFe]

What diameter carbon fiber tube are you guys using to replace the tail pitch servo linkage rod? I'm going to pick up some cf tube at the local hobby shop today and want to make sure I get the right size, guess I could just take the linkage rode with me.

[rstacy]

Take one of the links with you and find the CF rod lets the link fit inside.

[surgicalCFe]

Take one of the links with you and find the CF rod lets the link fit inside.

Hey good to hear from you Ray, thanks for the tip, would have felt stupid when I got the tube home trying to figure out how to connect the links. :arggg:

Although, I was thinking about cutting the ends off of the metal rod and inserting those into the ends of the CF tube (held in place with some super glue or jbweld). Then I could just screw the links onto the rod end threads. I think your way is easier though, so I'll go with that.

[rstacy]

It was easier for me and you still get your adjustment by sliding the servo on the boom.

[hammerfall77]

I used a CF-tube for my T-Rex but for the little Hurricane
a CF stick is stiff enough.

Just CA glue the ball links onto it, works good and saves
a little weight.

[surgicalCFe]

Well I went out and got the cf tube and am using Gorilla Glue to glue the links into the ends of the tube. Why Gorilla Glue? Because one of the employees at the hobby shop highly recommended it. Later I read the box and it says to apply pressure, well, can't exactly apply pressure to it. Hopefully after sitting over night it will hold good, If not I will just supper glue them in place.

[manike]

Take one of the links with you and find the CF rod lets the link fit inside.

Do you have any pictures you could show us? :noteworthy

[rstacy]

Do you have any pictures you could show us?

Sure. As I recall, you save about 25% of the weight and cure the flexing issue at the same time.

http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=77&pictureid=2285
http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=77&pictureid=2284
http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=77&pictureid=2282
http://www.helifreak.com/picture.php?albumid=77&pictureid=2283

[manike]

Thank you very much. I'm going to do this. One last question if I may. What length did you cut the CF rod to?

Thanks.

[rstacy]

Thank you very much. I'm going to do this. One last question if I may. What length did you cut the CF rod to?

Thanks.

It was cut to 7 inches.

[surgicalCFe]

Do you have any pictures you could show us? :noteworthy

Its just a black carbon fiber tube with the plastic links glued into the ends. I'll try and get a decent pic once its installed on the heli. I'm not going to try and install it until tomorrow though as I definitely do NOT want the plastic links coming unglued in flight. The tub its self is pretty large, larger than I thought it would be at least. I would say the tube is 1/4 (or close to that) the diameter of the tail boom. The exact measurements are 4mm x 2.5mm x 130mm. I also purchased one slightly smaller in case I decide to try cutting the ends off of the stock linkage rod and fixing those ends into each end of the tube, then just screw on the plastic links. Note that if you glue the plastic links into the ends of the CF tube you need to make sure the links are 90deg to each other before the glue sets.

[Buzzkill]

Sure. As I recall, you save about 25% of the weight and the cure the flexing issue at the same time.


Hey Ray, Does the tail boom supports actualy do anything besides add weight and looks? I ask because I know your shaving all the weight you can but still have the supports installed.

[rstacy]

Hey Ray, Does the tail boom supports actualy do anything besides add weight and looks? I ask because I know your shaving all the weight you can but still have the supports installed.

Hard to say but we did do a couple of flights once without boom supports. We couldn't tell a difference.

[rotorhead58d]

40764

i used 1/8 x .14 aluminum tubing, and glued in the ball links.