View Full Version : Lost a blade..
rostad
03-31-2008, 05:28 PM
My 200 exploded mid-air today. One of the blade grips got loose and caused mayhem all of a sudden. The heli was spitting plastic parts all over the field and went down.
Thing is I don't loctite the blade grip screws after I broke them inside the head a couple of times. They are impossible to get out if you have loctited them and I had to get a new head for my heli after a tiny crash.
I always check if the screws are tight before each flight, and today I tightened before the fatal flight.
Do you guys loctite your blade grip screws?
btw. The heli flew awesome today before the mishap.. I'm not really that good, but today I was doing loops and flips and even a 2 second inverted hoover.. Yeah!!! I think switching from plastic to wood blades really made this heli easier to fly!!
-rostad
psindrup
03-31-2008, 05:34 PM
I can only speak for myself, but I Locktite every metal screw that goes into metal (unless they are nylon locks, like the main blade screw), and I CA every metal screw that goes into plastic.
Did you use blue Locktite on the bolts that you could not get out/broke?
Peter
rostad
03-31-2008, 05:52 PM
I can only speak for myself, but I Locktite every metal screw that goes into metal (unless they are nylon locks, like the main blade screw), and I CA every metal screw that goes into plastic.
Did you use blue Locktite on the bolts that you could not get out/broke?
Peter
Yes, I used blue locktite!! I locktite everything else, just decided not to one those screws..
I don't want this to happen again (someone could get hurt!!). I'm rebuilding as we speak and have already used it now. I'll go and order some feathering shafts and heads next ;)
-rostad
aucmax
03-31-2008, 08:05 PM
Yes, I used blue locktite!! I locktite everything else, just decided not to one those screws..
I don't want this to happen again (someone could get hurt!!). I'm rebuilding as we speak and have already used it now. I'll go and order some feathering shafts and heads next ;)
-rostad
And don't forget that green locktite.;)
rostad
03-31-2008, 08:17 PM
And don't forget that green locktite.;)
:oops: Never tried the green stuff.. Good for the blade holder screws?
I locktite everything now, funny you say exploded mid air, Mine did exactly the same the other week, had a mid air boom strike which wrecked so much, the feather shaft snaped in halve and each blade complete with holder shot off in different direction. The carbon boom shattered and the tail servo wire wrapped around the main shaft riping the guts from the servo!
Strange I don't remember locktiting the blade holder screws! hmm I wonder if I forgot and this was my problem? She had been flying for about 5 mins!
I now use the red stuff, I also burred the head on a blade holder screw and had to use the dremmel to slot it and get it out, which ever way you do it sooner or later you will get a problem, ps using posi head screws now with a matching screw driver I use just for the blade holder screws.
northcarolinadan
04-01-2008, 08:30 AM
do yourself a favor, get a handful of M2X10 allen screws and toss the screwdriver headed screws that came with the heli.
the ones that come with the heli are soft.
(this little sucker is addicting, my 450 is boring to fly after this little sucker !!! )
mjr_larkin
04-01-2008, 09:19 AM
do yourself a favor, get a handful of M2X10 allen screws and toss the screwdriver headed screws that came with the heli.
the ones that come with the heli are soft.
(this little sucker is addicting, my 450 is boring to fly after this little sucker !!! )
I have to chime in on getting 2mm x 10mm socket head screws. I got them, Dubro brand #2113 and the problem is that the socket head is too big and does not clear the tip of the blade. This may only be a problem with replacement blade grips, which I have. The replacement grips are the same as the gaui 100 EP but are slightly shorter than the stock gaui 200 grips. Something to keep in mind...
northcarolinadan
04-01-2008, 09:32 AM
I have to chime in on getting 2mm x 10mm socket head screws. I got them, Dubro brand #2113 and the problem is that the socket head is too big and does not clear the tip of the blade. This may only be a problem with replacement blade grips, which I have. The replacement grips are the same as the gaui 100 EP but are slightly shorter than the stock gaui 200 grips. Something to keep in mind...
huh.... so you bought CNC blade grips and they are different from the stock ones that came with the 200?
does the socket head take 1.5mm allen?
if so, have to keep that in mind...(not to get 100ep grips) i bought my allen screws from Readyheli. work perfect.
is it possible to take a pic of the two grips for a comparison? i'd sure hate to be stuck with crappy phillips head screws..
Purple locktite is used on small screws.
222 Threadlocker Low Strength/Small Screw
Low strength threadlocker. Designed for precision metal fasteners under 3/4". Protects threads from rust and corrosion. Removable with hand tools. Available Worldwide
Typical Applications
Set screws, adjustment screws, calibration screws, meters, gauges.
rostad
04-01-2008, 01:26 PM
You are talking about these, right?
http://www.readyheli.com/RTL_Spindle_Bolts_for_Gaui_Hurricane_200_p/rtl%202mx10.htm
I'll have those one the top of the list in my next part order.. I have been going through the original m2x10 like crazy. They ARE too soft!!
Northcarolinadan - Yes, this one IS addicting!! Flew 5 batts with it today! Have maxed out my cyclic and now my (still sloppy) loops and flips are much easier. I have to admit todays 3 flights one my trex 500 was fun also, but the Gaui is so cool to practice on!!
btw. There was no slop in the blade holders after 5 flights. I used the tiniest amount of locktite, and that seemed to do it!!
Thanks guys!! :)
northcarolinadan
04-01-2008, 01:37 PM
yep those are the bolts i received. pretty standard bolt i would guess.
those hex headed screws do look the part BUT they are pretty strong, I thought about this but something needs to give, not sure what would give if a tip hits something! Locktite seems to hold the screws in OK now and the pozi's have a better head than the phillips! well mine seem to be better for unscrewing and tightening.
psindrup
04-01-2008, 05:40 PM
do yourself a favor, get a handful of M2X10 allen screws and toss the screwdriver headed screws that came with the heli.
the ones that come with the heli are soft.
I am not sure.
Something has to give, and I would prefer a bent 10 cent screw over expensive head parts any day. :)
Peter
stoatnchips
04-01-2008, 06:28 PM
Jad and Peter both have good points and i think i mentioned something about tensile strengths in another post. You probably know that not all 2mm bolts are made the same... Blackened/Painted cap head allen scews as seen in the RH link tend to have a much higher tensile strength than a standard galvznised/zinced pan/dome/mushroom headed cross point that is shown on Gaui's site. Usually a higher carbon content, different alloy steel and a different hardning/finnishing process all lead to a BIG diferenece in Bolt strength
I wouldn't be surprised if Gaui had not chosen these machine screws exactly for this reason. If the screws fail at a much higher load in an impact, you run the risk of damaging other head componets and a higher overall repair bill. Stronger does'nt always mean better :shock:
I'll have to check it out more when my kit gets here..i'm still guessing at the moment and without having recieved a 200 yet, i can't say for sure. :(
rostad
04-01-2008, 08:20 PM
Guess you guys are right about something has to give. But my problem was the hole rotor yoke had to be replaced after a crash because I couldn't get the broken screw out. I would rather replace a link or something than the rotor yoke.. And the spindle shaft, the pin there was impossible to get out as well!! (yes I saw the thread about it)
And btw after I switched to the wood blades a minor crash will cause less damage. It will destroy the blades, but less damage to the rest of the heli. Thats a good thing, right? :)
rostad
The yoke/feathershaft is a very cheap part. I have twice now had problems getting the screws out. The easist way was with my dremmel and I carefully slotted the screw and managed to undo. I found the pozi head screw better ( it is still a zinc screw ) touch wood have not managed to get a pozi stuck YET!!!!.
Don't over do the locktite just a dab is ample
It is a problem you want it to stay put meaning you want it tight yet when you bend it you want to be able to remove it. catch 22 really
xrbcoronalogoflyer
04-02-2008, 05:18 PM
no one has mentioned head speed as a contributing factor...fwiw, i tach'd my head speed on idle-1, and got 3960 at mid-stick!!! I'll definitely adjust my curves before the next flight...ken