Why metal?

[FlyJ]

Recently i have discovered the new world of 3D helis and am starting to get dragged away from planes more where we don't have upgrades like the helis do. This may sounds like a n00b question to ask but...why metal? from what iv seen it only weighs more...so why go metal?

[vandelescrow]

Metal does not flex resulting in less play. Less play results in a more precise / crisper feel. When it comes to the head and blade grips, metal can help prevent boom strikes due to it not flexing in heavy changes in pitch, like a tic-toc.

However, if you do not know how to fly yet I recommend not having a real stiff dampening system in the head for two reasons:

First, a stiff dampener can result in the heli vibrating at lower head speeds. These lower head speeds are common when starting out.

Second, by using softer dampeners and wood blades (it's not just about cost of repair) when in a hover the blades will make a very shallow "V" (the tips of the blades a few inches higher than the root). This V will push the air not just down but also out to the sides making the hover more stable and easier to control. Stiff dampeners and carbon blades will not flex so instead of hovering on a cone of air like above, you will be hovering on a column. This column is more susceptible to ground effect, wind change and pilot input. This is my opinion thoe.

I would say most nitro helis come factory with a plastic head and a metal head is optional or an upgrade. The plastic head would provide less dampening.

[FlyJ]

well right now im flying with MAH blades at 2100 rpm
i had my first inverted hover, tic-toc, and piro flip in the same day lol
but now that i think im somewhat capable of this stuff im thinking, do i need to go metal?

[vandelescrow]

Damn, you were hot, great job. Even thoe I've done flips, loops and rolls, I'm still to chicken to do inverted hover. I'm doing them fine on the sim, just cant aford new parts at the moment if something goes wrong.

About upgrading to metal, (someone correct me please if I'm wrong before Fly J goes and spends the money) I would at least use metal head and blade grips. After market are usualy cheaper than TT, Heliproz carries Maverikk and Top Dragon. I'm using the Maverikk http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=804390 , this includes everything above the swashplate. but check the price on this http://www.heliproz.com/prodinfo.asp?number=825105. BTW RC heli magazine recently did a review of the maverikk set up.

Spinning 2100 Head speed with plastic grips is not a good idea. From what other people here have been saying, stay below 2000 with plastic just to be safe.

[FlyJ]

yea well iv got it alot easier than you
first, of all im only 16 and my funding is all from my builder who is my father so the fear of flying has dropped somewhat but he was the one to really encourage me to try some heli 3D so he encourages me to get a little crazier, in fact im more scared of crashing than him

second, all my time flying was spent in gassers and jets so flying upside down is just a normal thing for me and its the same on the heli. today was my second time ever flying outside of my backyard and the grass got a lil but shorter lol

from being a newbie to 3D id just say go for it, its just a confidence im sure if u can fly around do loops and rolls and fly inverted on a plane, you should be more than fine.

[Laurens]

You don't really need metal, the only reason is less play over time.

[FlyJ]

will a raptor 50 metal head fit on the raptor 30?

[Laurens]

Yes, they're the same.

[BarracudaHockey]

You might find this article helpful
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=860

Bottom line, on the Raptor its worth upgrading the head block and washout base.

[FlyJ]

thanks for the help
metal head on the way