How-to: Align 315 Pro on stock Belt CP

[redbird300]

Thanx to Lex I decided to fit a pair off Align woodies on my stock blade grips.
As many people know, the stock blades are thicker (about 2 mm) than the Align Woodies.
A possible solution is to use some spacers, but this doesn't seem the best method.
This is what i did (again, thx to Lex, not my idea):
I unscrewed the blade spacers from a pair off stock Belt blades, to use them on the Align blades. They come off right away without any damage. Then unscrewed the thinner blade spacers from the Align blades (315 Pro wood), but these are glued ! Use a hobby knife to peel them off carefully.
Then use the Belt blade spacers to mark where want to you drill an extra 3,5 mm hole in the Align Blades. In fact, it's 3,7 mm, but by moving your drill a bit, it works. Have a look at the picture.
Finally, glue the Belt blade spacer on the Align woodies, and put the screw in, done.
I found that the newly made blades are still 0,5 mm thinner though. I will try to fit and fly them this week, hopefully they fly well, i will report later.
From top to bottom on the picture:
1) stock Belt blades with spacers unscrewed
2) Align PRO 315 woodies, spacers unscrewed and peeled off + extra hole drilled by using the Belt blade spacers.
3) Align woodies with Belt spacers glued on with CA.

Happy flying, you guys gave me already a lot of advice, so I thought it was time to add this little report...

[VortechZ230]

Just go to Ace Hardware and get four plastic washers!, use these and go fly.......

[another_finn]

Great write-up! I don't think I've ever seen this method explained quite so well.

Always seemed like too much work, though, so I always used four M3 1 mm nylon washers :o

[lex7919]

Originally Posted by another_finn

Great write-up! I don't think I've ever seen this method explained quite so well.

Always seemed like too much work, though, so I always used four M3 1 mm nylon washers :o

It litterally takes 2 minutes to do and imho it's a much better and safer way of doing it, You dont have to drill the hole for the locating dowl (to save time) i just cut it off and glue it on as long as bolt hole is correct it doesn't really matter.
Of course there's nothing wrong with using spacers, i just think that this method looks alot better and as though it's come from the factory like it, The main reason i first thought of this method was if like me and redbird your using stock plastic grip's over time the washer's wear into the plastic ultimately causing slop and even failure of the grip in flight!
Nylon would of course not be such a problem but most couldnt be bothered to source them and use metal ones instead.

[lex7919]

Redbird
I'm glad you found it usefull looks great and it works a treat doesn't it,
Surprised you say theres still a gap though! mine always fit snug, do you think it's possible the grips have worn a little or been over stretched at some point? Even so i don't think 0.5mm is much to worry about at all. It's only 0.25mm top and bottom it's quite exceptable to tighten the grip to close such a small gap, wouldn't recomend this if the gap was much bigger though because you will stress the grips to much, we know what happen's next....

[redbird300]

I didn't say there was a real gap, only that I measured (using a caliper) that the new blades are 0,5 mm thinner. I agree with you that this should be no problem, just tighten the grips and it should be OK. I will be 100% sure in a few days, when I have tested it. And I'm glad that you explained why we don't use normal spacers. My experience till now with heli's is that you better do things as perfect as possible, but I have no doubt that normal spacers work, I only wanted something slightly better.

[redbird300]

I just finished putting the blades in the blade holders, and they fit nicely !
The very small difference in thickness is barely noticable. Once they are slightly tightened there is no difference what so ever, off course.
Too dark now to fly though, what a shame To be continued...

[Ian 777]

Nice one Redbird.. got to be worth doing you must have more flex at the root with just a washer as a spacer

[redbird300]

Indeed Ian, that would be another advantage. Anyway, it looks like its factory made now, and no messing around with these little spacers when you want to take the blades off. BTW, I sent you a PM about your DTS mod.

[lex7919]

Originally Posted by redbird300

I didn't say there was a real gap, only that I measured (using a caliper) that the new blades are 0,5 mm thinner. I agree with you that this should be no problem, just tighten the grips and it should be OK. I will be 100% sure in a few days, when I have tested it. And I'm glad that you explained why we don't use normal spacers. My experience till now with heli's is that you better do things as perfect as possible, but I have no doubt that normal spacers work, I only wanted something slightly better.

My mistake Redbird, i am slightly dislexic with word's it doesnt seem to effect my writting to much, some spelling isn't always 100% but not bad, it's reading when i get caught out, read something and think it said something else!
Anyway i'm glad they fit and your happy with it,
Spot on my friend exactly why i did it to.

[Ian 777]

Tut tut You spelt Dyslexic rong Lex... How can Lex be dys...Lex...ic anyway

[tom dubya]

Lol

[redbird300]

Just hovered 2 packs with the modified Align blades as described above, and I'm 100% satisfied ! Better stability and better feel. These blades are really worth their money.
Case closed ! Just 1 more picture with the Align Blades fitted ...

[thrustboy]

Yeah, I did this too. I had the stuff around already, it was quicker, cheaper and easier than going to the LHS or hardware store...

[lex7919]

quote=Ian 777;1245459] Tut tut You spelt Dyslexic rong Lex... How can Lex be dys...Lex...ic anyway[/quote]


Kinda proves the point hey bro.

[Ian 777]

Not taking the P... bro I have moderately bad ADHD which blighted my early life pretty badly