O-Ring Dampers

[Kindling Maker]

Glassier, It is not a big deal I enjoy what I do. I am a Civilian here, I work with the greatest bunch of young guys and gals our country has seen. They do a great job I am just here to make thier life a little better. And really where else are you going to get picts of an R/C heli setting in front of a Kiowa Gunship. Or pictsw of Caterpillar equipment on a Flight line surrounded by Blackhawks and apaches. I love it here. I have fun.

[13Flatspins]

I was thinking, which is usually a dangerous thing, about replacing the O-rings in the head. What I have in mind is using silicone fuel tubing cut in thin slices the same thickness as the o-ring. These would be similar to Trueblood head dampers for the TRex.

Basically, I'll take a piece of fuel tubing and cut about 6 slices, take the best 2 and pitch the rest. I've still got about 50' of Prather fuel tubing left over from the pattern days. (None of that cheap blue line crap for me.) So, if it works, I should have enough to make hundreds of shims.

If this works, it should be a little stiffer and they should wear a lot better. Will be a lot cheaper too. E-flite say to replace every 30 flights. Thing is, they come with other CP parts that cost $9.99. This would be nearly free.

Wadayathink?

I better change the Exacto blade so I can do some precision hacking.

I could never find the O - rings at the LHS so I did the same as you. I made about 6-7 slices of silicon fuel tubing and picked the best 2 to put in the head. Then I change them every time I have the head apart, which was quite often.:arggg: Then the dude at the LHS told me the O - rings for the Trex are the same. Sure enough they fit perfectly

[Redfire SVT]

I could never find the O - rings at the LHS so I did the same as you. I made about 6-7 slices of silicon fuel tubing and picked the best 2 to put in the head. Then I change them every time I have the head apart, which was quite often.:arggg: Then the dude at the LHS told me the O - rings for the Trex are the same. Sure enough they fit perfectly

I picked up some o-rings for a T-rex too. I haven't installed them yet but I hear they work better than stock. The T-rex o-rings are firmer.

[sportdoc]

I have just installed Trex O rings in my blade 400. They are stiffer and work great with 2 shims per side. :YeaBaby:

[Redfire SVT]

I installed mine with 4 shims per side. I agree, they work great.

[skigolfmike]

Good to know. FWIW, the fuel tubing doesn't work real well. It great new, but wears out faster than the stock O-rings.

[eugenefelisco]

Just replaced mine last weekend its the stock e-flite o-rings with a flex tube. Its ok and my play is almost tight like 3 shims in each side.