new cnc head setup questions

[rgrugan]

Just got my shiny new cnc head unit from here:
http://stores.ebay.com/xmseller-xmhobbies-3dx-400-450-300_ESKY-E-SKY-BELT-CP_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ13483685QQftidZ2QQtZkm

It is the xmseller one that I have seen mentioned here before. My two questions are this. It appears the swashplate guide is a tight fit should I bother modding it or just replace it with something that is compatible with the new swashplate guide? If replaceing is the best option could someone provide a recommendation that will work with the belt?

Second is I was under the thinking that this cnc head will work properly with Align blades. I picked up a set of 325 Pro's from my LHS and I got to tell you it is a very tight fit to get them in the main grips. Once in there is no free flow of movement. Is this normal? If not is there anything I can really do about it?

Thank you all for your assistance it is greatly appreciated to this novice!

[Ian 777]

Hi rgrugan

If the AR pin is too tight then just fit the old Esky one, they are both M2 thread,

Filing down the plastic reinforcing on the root of the blade is OK if they are too tight, just
be careful to keep it level or you will affect the tracking of the blade.

Look through the set up guides to help you set the head properly, a good set up essential,

I am sure you will be delighted with the heli with this head on it :)

All the best Ian

[rgrugan]

Thank you lan777 for the info and tips. I ran into another unexpected installation issue. It appears the ball links on the swash plate are larger then the stock BeltCP ball linkages which are smaller. Can I just remove the ball linkage on the frame server control and replace with the proper size that will allow a push rod and ball link to connect to the swash plate?

That question leads me to the second one. What is the right size of the ball link of the cnc head I purchased?

[another_finn]

Yes, or you can use the smaller Esky balls on the swash. I believe the thread should be the same. I would still prefer using larger (4.75 mm) Align links on the rods. There's just something about big balls that inspires more confidence in the setup :roll:

(Edit: I prefer Align links instead of HDX/3DX because they are easier to loosen up, readily available everywhere and the orientation is clearly marked)

[DierWolf]

You should have asked him to put in extra balls for you, he does it for you at no charge.

In any case yes all the balls from the stock swashplate can fit on the new swashplate they both have the same thread pattern.

[DierWolf]

Yes, or you can use the smaller Esky balls on the swash. I believe the thread should be the same. I would still prefer using larger (4.75 mm) Align links on the rods. There's just something about big balls that inspires more confidence in the setup :roll:

you couldnt resist could you LOL

[another_finn]

you couldnt resist could you LOL
I never can. It's such a cheap shot somebody here is bound to take it... Might as well get it over with :D

[rgrugan]

You should have asked him to put in extra balls for you, he does it for you at no charge.

In any case yes all the balls from the stock swashplate can fit on the new swashplate they both have the same thread pattern.

lol I didn't know I could ask for extra balls. The package did include 2 extra just needed one more. But even so I would still need to get different ball links that could fit the large balls.

and I agree something about larger balls does help with the confidence factor :roll:

[DierWolf]

Jeff's a great guy.... he doesnt really provide them but if you ask him he is more than glad to give you exactly what you need so you can install it without anything additional.

But since you didnt get the extra balls and link ends its perfectly fine to simply swap the balls from the stock swash and put them on the new on, same goes for the AR pin.

Make sure you use loc-tite on all the balls on the head if you dont they will vibrate loose quickly.

Both my bro and i run this head on our belts.

[DierWolf]

http://i31.tinypic.com/2hzscwo.jpg

[rgrugan]

Nice....Just got back from the store with new balls and links in hand eager to try out the new head and now the downer. After reading your message on putting some thread lock on the ball links I was just curios to see if any of them where loose. Well the front ball link on the swash plate was totally loose. Upon further inspection all of the threads in the plate piece are stripped. :mad:

So now I have an email into the seller to see how we can resolve this. Looks like I am grounded for awhile again :arggg:

[DierWolf]

Stripped from you taking them out or stripped as they were.

[rgrugan]

Stripped as they where. I have already talked with Jeff/xm and he is going to replace the swash plate for me. Sending it back today.

[DierWolf]

Ok Cool, as long as you sorted it out with him.

[mnwizard]

http://i31.tinypic.com/2hzscwo.jpg


Naughty! :rolling

[DierWolf]

lol FINALLY! someone notices it... :)

[rgrugan]

OK starting to get a little annoyed. I got some Align v1 replacement feathering shafts and for the life of me I don't know what I am doing wrong. I am hoping someone can shed some light on this for me.

As a summary I got the CNC head from xmseller however I do not believe it is the V2 head because after crashing again and pulling the feathering shaft it looks identical to an Align v1. So I purchased a couple packs and attempting to install one I get to the point where I am tightening down the main grips and it gets to the point where the grips are unable to move.

I have tried any number of combinations using the spacers that come with the shafts and to no avail. I feel like I can get close but the movement of the heads is very jerky which I can imagine is the thrust bearings causing that due to the screws being to tight.

Am I missing something here that I need to add to be able to utilize these feathering shafts with this CNC head?

[mnwizard]

OK starting to get a little annoyed. I got some Align v1 replacement feathering shafts and for the life of me I don't know what I am doing wrong. I am hoping someone can shed some light on this for me.

As a summary I got the CNC head from xmseller however I do not believe it is the V2 head because after crashing again and pulling the feathering shaft it looks identical to an Align v1. So I purchased a couple packs and attempting to install one I get to the point where I am tightening down the main grips and it gets to the point where the grips are unable to move.

I have tried any number of combinations using the spacers that come with the shafts and to no avail. I feel like I can get close but the movement of the heads is very jerky which I can imagine is the thrust bearings causing that due to the screws being to tight.

Am I missing something here that I need to add to be able to utilize these feathering shafts with this CNC head?

Here's a link to a thread that may help -

http://helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=73027&highlight=feathering+shafts

[DierWolf]

xmseller head using Version 1 3mm thoughout feathering shafts .. Version 2 is the 4mm stepped down to 3mm.

i have not tried any v1 align feathering shafts in mine as yet as i had a ton of esky cnc head feathering shafts still and thats what i am using as replacement, they are a bit longer but its no big deal i just cut them down by 2mm with the drummel.

Also it also depends which V1 feathering shaft your ordering since there are so many variations of Trex 450's

Since it seems the shafts you got are too short have you tried using them without the bushings that you put on before the grips? if its still too short then i have no idea what feathering shafts they sent you.


"I have tried any number of combinations using the spacers that come with the shafts and to no avail."
what happened to the bushing spacers that were originally on the xmseller head??

[rgrugan]

I tried the suggestion with any bushings and it feels like it is almost there however the grip movement is still jerky. :arggg:

The feathering shafts I purchased is the HS1003T Trex 450 (at least thats what it says on the package).

I think I am going to shoot a message to xmseller and see what feathering shafts he would recommend as replacement.

[another_finn]

HS1003Ts are a hair over 2 mm shorter than 3DX450/Sonix. There's really nothing you can sand down to make them fit, so your best bet is to use the originals from xmseller/cnchelicopter. They don't seem any worse than Aligns, so the only problem is needing to keep two styles in stock if you also have a 100% T-Rex head on any of your helicopters.

If you can find a tiny spacer the diameter of the feathering shaft, you could place them on the ends of the shaft to extend it... but I doubt it would be worth the trouble.

[DierWolf]

Like i said on my xm head i use the Esky cnc grip feathering shaft, they are longer but i just put an extra bushing on each end to take up the additional space. works a treat :) and i get a few extra mm's of rotor diameter :)

[rgrugan]

Thanks for the info guys I really appreciate it. Ya I figured the Align ones I purchased where a tad on the short side. I also got a response back from xmseller with links to the cnchelicopter page to purchase feathering shafts but at $2.50 a pop I was hoping to be able to purchase some more cheap ones similar to that link Wolf I think put up to that seller on ebay selling a pack of 20 for $20.

I am thinking of going the route you did Wolf can you link me the place you purchase your ESKY feathering shafts and what extra bushings you put on?

Again thank you guys a million for taking time to answer my noob questions.:oops:

[DierWolf]

I simply used a bearing out of the blade grips as a bushing (have extra from the plastic head), one on each side in addition to the bushing that already comes with the head :)

[another_finn]

I also got a response back from xmseller with links to the cnchelicopter page to purchase feathering shafts but at $2.50 a pop I was hoping to be able to purchase some more cheap ones
Huh? They're $5.90 for a pack of three. I make that $1.97 per shaft. HeliDirect does cheaper black steel versions at $4.50 ($1.50 per shaft). How cheap do you want to go on the only thing holding your blades together at 3000 RPM? :roll: