View Full Version : Free Swash Level Tool - Included with B400
GreenBar0n
03-16-2008, 02:40 AM
Someone posted a while back about the free Flybar lock out tool that came with the b400; what they meant was to take an included allen wrench and put it through the center hole in the head block and rest it on the flybar cage arms. This is along those same lines.
I looked all over for a swash level tool for the Blade 400, it seems the Trex 450 tool will work but when I went to buy one they were sold out everywhere.
Found a great post about using an allen wrench, clip tied to the main shaft, in order to find the swash plate level. It works really well.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j303/GreenBar0n/position1.jpg
Setup the wrench so that it contacts the ball link, and then advance or turn the main shaft to the next ball link or position by rotating the main gear clockwise:
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j303/GreenBar0n/advancebyhand.jpg
Position 2:
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j303/GreenBar0n/Position2.jpg
Position 3:
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j303/GreenBar0n/Postition3.jpg
If the wrench is touching all three ball links equally in mid, high and low collective stick, then your swash plate is level. If any of the links are lower or higher, turn the ball links on the rods until all links touch the wrench equally.
This helped me immensely after I stripped two servos and jammed/bent a mixing arm.
Gr4yb3ard
03-16-2008, 03:11 AM
*That's* intelligence. I owe you $20.
Gr4yb3ard
GreenBar0n
03-16-2008, 04:21 AM
*That's* intelligence. I owe you $20.
Gr4yb3ard
You give me far too much credit :oops:, I heard this from a guy who heard it from a guy, but thank you the same.
This forum is really cool IMO because we all just want to have a good time and help each other.:cheers
Heli Jim
03-16-2008, 08:29 AM
Oh man!!!
I'm in the same place you are!! I needed a tool for the swash
and like you said, everybody is sold out.
I'm also basically 'cheap' and this idea costs NOTHING!!
Great idea....thanks a LOT!!!
You're right about this forum....that's why I hang around here so much.
Thanks again!
gatherman
03-16-2008, 10:10 AM
tried that idea a while back when i first found it and decided to just buy the tool because it was just faster..
BTW i got mine from http://www.readyheli.com/T_Rex_Swashplate_Leveler_p/leveler.htm for 14.99 and they are in stock. At least at the time i wrote this they are.
Heli Jim
03-16-2008, 10:16 AM
Yeah, I saw it there too, but they are out of stock right now
gatherman
03-16-2008, 10:20 AM
I noticed that. They must not stay around long.. Guess i got lucky when i bought mine..
skigolfmike
03-16-2008, 10:37 AM
That could be really dangerous.
I've noticed a problem with many of the heli upgrade parts and tools, everyone always seems to be out of stock Just so happens I have a long time buddy who has a tool and die shop who could probably make stuff like this. Maybe it's time to start my own business. Just a thought.
Heli Jim
03-16-2008, 11:38 AM
I saw an article in a magazine where somebody just took a large washer, cut a slot in it so it would pass around the main shaft, and then glued a couple of "level" tubes on it so it would read level in two directions. I don't know where he got the bubble tubes, but if you have an old level, there you go.
LockMD
03-16-2008, 12:04 PM
Good idea GreenBar, when I first saw the thread title I thought you had given up!
Glad you didn't, be flying with ya soon!
GreenBar0n
03-16-2008, 02:34 PM
Good idea GreenBar, when I first saw the thread title I thought you had given up!
Glad you didn't, be flying with ya soon!
:lol: I guess the title does kinda make it sound like I am selling the b400 and if you act now you get the free swash tool.:dontknow
My swash plate was so off after the last crash and rebuild, that I could not leave the ground without heading to the rear and right. Somehow the splines changed considerably when I rebuilt the pitch and aileron servos.
I would have bought the swash level tool, but after using this method, I just don't see any reason to.
Thanks for the encouragement and kind words guys.
LockMD
03-16-2008, 03:53 PM
Okay so does this mean, weather permitting. You are back in the air?
GreenBar0n
03-16-2008, 04:27 PM
Doing some prep work for a job I've got on monday, so as soon as I get that finished, I'm going to get the fine tuning on the pitch set correctly. I really like being able to hover indoors, that trainer gear is worth it.
I'll be ready for an outing here soon. 2 Batteries just doesn't get the tuning done fast enough.
LockMD
03-16-2008, 06:46 PM
I have 7 and 5 on the way, but 4 are for the 600 which will arrive tuesday so I may not be available for a while.
GreenBar0n
03-21-2008, 04:26 PM
Just in case somebody can use this info...... BUMP:YeaBaby:
LockMD
03-21-2008, 04:37 PM
oh yeah mike you should add this to your 'dummies' thread
Gr4yb3ard
03-21-2008, 07:03 PM
Yeah, Yeah,
You got the allen wrench idea from someone else, but YOU posted it here.
I've been using this for a bit, again it works great, thanks.
As an "upgrade" I've also found that bashing the allen out wider allows me to adjust to those swashplates with bumps and bevels in the middle.
Gr4yb3ard
"...and I love bashing! Anyone ever heard of "hammer tuning", seriously!!"
GreenBar0n
03-21-2008, 09:12 PM
Yeah, Yeah,
You got the allen wrench idea from someone else, but YOU posted it here.
:tongue. Honestly, I posted this tip to help others as it helped me.
I can't find the original post this tip came from, or I would link to it in order to give credit where it's due.
Why buy the $20+ tool, when you have one in your kit already?
LockMD
03-21-2008, 09:19 PM
Found a great post about using an allen wrench, clip tied to the main shaft, in order to find the swash plate level. It works really well.
He did NOT claim it to be his own, hey I'm sure lots are just glad for the passing of the info.
GreenBar0n
03-21-2008, 09:28 PM
He did NOT claim it to be his own, hey I'm sure lots are just glad for the passing of the info.
:noteworthy Thanks for getting my back LockMD, but I think Gr4yb3ard is just messing with me for the fun of it :DOH. He was the first to respond kindly earlier.
Thanks too for the recommendation on the sticky earlier. This is somewhat an obscure need, so if it doesn't make the sticky I understand.
This is the last time I will bump it, that's a promise:thumbup:.
LockMD
03-21-2008, 09:51 PM
It's on the sticky buddy. Okay, luv you too but YOU dont get any bud light either!
it just doesnt show up as NEW 'cause he edited it to make it in the orig post.
GreenBar0n
03-21-2008, 09:57 PM
It's on the sticky buddy. Okay, luv you too but YOU dont get any bud light either!
it just doesnt show up as NEW 'cause he edited it to make it in the orig post.
:hug: Let the heli-healing begin :cheers.
If I was able to repair the dead 3400g you have, then may I have a bud-light? Strictly hypothetical of course.
LockMD
03-22-2008, 01:23 AM
:hug: Let the heli-healing begin :cheers.
If I was able to repair the dead 3400g you have, then may I have a bud-light? Strictly hypothetical of course.
If you repair my dead 3400G I will give you the flying genie and a 12 pack off bud
Gr4yb3ard
03-23-2008, 03:16 PM
Exactly,
I meant that you were so cautious to not take credit, but that I still appreciated you posting it for us, as we had not seen it ;-)
Gr4yb3ard
Goodge
04-26-2008, 04:18 AM
When leveling the swashplate, how can I tell that the servo arms are positioned properly on the servos, as opposed to needing to make adjustments to the rod lengths?