Pantera Swash level tool ala Gus?

[forvols]

I'm pretty sure it was Gus (The Dude II) who mentioned using a 9 volt transistor radio battery as a swash leveler on the Pantera. I've used this method ever since I found out about it and it sure makes the task of making linkages a lot easier!

Here's a picture showing how nicely this 9v tool works. All that's left for me to do here is to adjust the balde grip linkages for zero degrees incidence at mid stick. Actually, with this airframe intended for a scale build and for scale flying, I will most likely adjust so that I have about 3 degrees positive pitch at mid stick. Haven't made up my mind on that yet .

Tomorrow I'll try to get the Skookum 360 installed and programmed, receiver mounted, and that darn 80HV2 ESC mounted. Dang.. more wires than I know what to do with on this thing! Doh! and that last screw in the elevator servo!

Anyhow, just thought I'd post a picture showing the 9v battery being used as a swash level tool. Sorry for the cheesy background, but it was the quickest, most brainless way to do it

[The Dude II]

JB past that one along to me way back in the Tiger 50 days.

[forvols]

Well in that case... thanks to both of you! It sure makes life easy

[jbeech]

I kinda wish that tip had stayed buried in the past. Using a 9V is OK for a quick and dirty field check but on the workbench our CNC machined swashtool is better.

http://www.audacitymodels.com/Produc...4/Default.aspx

Here's the background . . . I was once chasing my tail during a setup, which because I was depending on the accuracy of the low bidder folding tin for 9V battery bodies led to great frustration. The swashtool, which is CNC machined from a solid billet of barstock 6061 aluminum is better because it's dead nuts accurate.

[edhall]

I'll have to try the battery trick just to try it.

John's swash tool is great. After a crash it's great to be able to throw on the head and do a quick check to see that everything lines up right. Make's it quick and easy.

Also adjusting servos, I pull down the collective, and adjust them till they stop buzzing.

Some swash tools I have used have been a little smaller than the swash, so the head can rock a bit, not with this one, the head ain't going nowhere. It's a big old chunk of metal.

[benwhite22]

+1 on the swash tool! Be careful that your mainshaft collar is level, i.e. contacting the top bearing all the way around, before throwing on your tool though. This can also lead to great frustration.