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Creaky Cactus · 01-07-2010, 08:16 AM

I just replaced my stock 400 blades with Align 325 woodies. (thanks for the tips on the shims)

The difference is quite amazing. I ran two batteries last night and it is now running much smoother and much quieter. The battery life has gone up quite a bit. I was timing for 4.5 minutes (5 min to 80%) now it looks more like 9 min to 80% (running 3S 2200 Zippys).

I can't wait to get her out in the field tomorrow morning.

The Cactus

Norseman1 · 01-07-2010, 11:36 AM

Wow....that is amazing. Are they that much lighter? Have you weighed them out?

I have some on order...I think I will get a hurry up on them.

Thanks

Creaky Cactus · 01-07-2010, 12:04 PM

I don't think it is the weight. I think it is (a) thinner blade and (b) better covering, but I'm still testing. I haven't done anything but a few hover tests.

The Cactus

tekparasite · 01-07-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creaky Cactus

I just replaced my stock 400 blades with Align 325 woodies. (thanks for the tips on the shims)

The difference is quite amazing. I ran two batteries last night and it is now running much smoother and much quieter. The battery life has gone up quite a bit. I was timing for 4.5 minutes (5 min to 80%) now it looks more like 9 min to 80% (running 3S 2200 Zippys).

I can't wait to get her out in the field tomorrow morning.

The Cactus

So.. what's the tip on the shims?

Creaky Cactus · 01-07-2010, 01:49 PM

Use old credit cards and yogurt lids to make shims. I'm trying a coke bottle lid next.

The Cactus

kenn_palmer · 01-07-2010, 03:24 PM

You can use 1mm washers for shims as well to use the align blades but you increase the disc loading as they are shorter..
The stock b400 blades are actually about 10mm longer then the Align 325s as Eflight measures theirs from the bolt hole out to 325, and Align measure 325 from the blade root so they will be shorter and have less drag.
Also the covering on the stock blades is almost always to loose. Hijack your wifes hair dryer and put it as hot as it will go and blow over the entire blade, both sides of each blade and you'll see the covering shrinking tight. After correcting this the stock blades will run 100% better.
The aligns do typically have better balance though, and the reduced drag will give you more run time. The fixed stock blades will provide more lift as they are loger but the added weight will cut you run time per battery.

Jskrapper · 01-07-2010, 03:58 PM

I concur. I recently switched align pro 325's. These far outshine eflite carbon fibers. Balance and cut is far superior and I am getting close to 8 minute solid hovers. Cyclic response is amazing yet handle-able.

Capt. Speirs · 01-07-2010, 04:28 PM

I am waiting for my Align Pro 335's, see how those are.

ingrahal · 01-07-2010, 09:17 PM

Here is a recent thread on this topic.

imq707s · 01-07-2010, 09:23 PM

I would think that the profile is where you are seeing most of the benefits from...not the weight. Once you get them spinning...the weight doens't come into play as much as the profile...and home much power is required to keep them spinning. Now if you were doing lots of 3d stuff, up and down on the throttle....then the weight would play a bigger factor.

Creaky Cactus · 01-07-2010, 11:52 PM

OP here...

I figured out the perfect shim material. Perfect thickness, available everywhere.

The top of a plastic Coca Cola bottle cap is 1.5 mm thick.

(1) Drink the coke
(2) Remove the plastic cap liner
(3) Cut a circle out of the top of the cap (it has a circle imprinted on the inside already!)
(4) Drill a 1/8 inch hole

PRESTO! A perfect shim made of some really tough material.

Forget yogurt lids and credit cards. This beats 'em all.

Slyster, give it a try and if you like it... maybe add it to the bible.

The Cactus

Jskrapper · 01-08-2010, 09:47 AM

I like this ^^^

Cailid · 01-08-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creaky Cactus

OP here...

I figured out the perfect shim material. Perfect thickness, available everywhere.

The top of a plastic Coca Cola bottle cap is 1.5 mm thick.

(1) Drink the coke
(2) Remove the plastic cap liner
(3) Cut a circle out of the top of the cap (it has a circle imprinted on the inside already!)
(4) Drill a 1/8 inch hole

PRESTO! A perfect shim made of some really tough material.

Forget yogurt lids and credit cards. This beats 'em all.

Slyster, give it a try and if you like it... maybe add it to the bible.

The Cactus

Can I use a pepsi lid instead?

01-07-2010, 08:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Creaky Cactus HF Support Join Date: Dec 2008	Align 325 Blade vs Stock I just replaced my stock 400 blades with Align 325 woodies. (thanks for the tips on the shims) The difference is quite amazing. I ran two batteries last night and it is now running much smoother and much quieter. The battery life has gone up quite a bit. I was timing for 4.5 minutes (5 min to 80%) now it looks more like 9 min to 80% (running 3S 2200 Zippys). I can't wait to get her out in the field tomorrow morning. The Cactus __________________ The Cactus - Just pick up the sticks, and FLY! Blade (mCX, CX2, mSR, mCP X, mCPX BL; 180 CFX, 400) * T-Rex (450SE2, 600E) Blade (Nano QX, 200 QX) * DX7 * Phoenix v5.5k Helis and MRs wrecked while-U-wait since 2008-05-27

01-07-2010, 12:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Creaky Cactus HF Support Thread Starter Join Date: Dec 2008	I don't think it is the weight. I think it is (a) thinner blade and (b) better covering, but I'm still testing. I haven't done anything but a few hover tests. The Cactus __________________ The Cactus - Just pick up the sticks, and FLY! Blade (mCX, CX2, mSR, mCP X, mCPX BL; 180 CFX, 400) * T-Rex (450SE2, 600E) Blade (Nano QX, 200 QX) * DX7 * Phoenix v5.5k Helis and MRs wrecked while-U-wait since 2008-05-27

01-07-2010, 01:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Creaky Cactus HF Support Thread Starter Join Date: Dec 2008	Use old credit cards and yogurt lids to make shims. I'm trying a coke bottle lid next. The Cactus __________________ The Cactus - Just pick up the sticks, and FLY! Blade (mCX, CX2, mSR, mCP X, mCPX BL; 180 CFX, 400) * T-Rex (450SE2, 600E) Blade (Nano QX, 200 QX) * DX7 * Phoenix v5.5k Helis and MRs wrecked while-U-wait since 2008-05-27

01-07-2010, 03:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
kenn_palmer Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2008	You can use 1mm washers for shims as well to use the align blades but you increase the disc loading as they are shorter.. The stock b400 blades are actually about 10mm longer then the Align 325s as Eflight measures theirs from the bolt hole out to 325, and Align measure 325 from the blade root so they will be shorter and have less drag. Also the covering on the stock blades is almost always to loose. Hijack your wifes hair dryer and put it as hot as it will go and blow over the entire blade, both sides of each blade and you'll see the covering shrinking tight. After correcting this the stock blades will run 100% better. The aligns do typically have better balance though, and the reduced drag will give you more run time. The fixed stock blades will provide more lift as they are loger but the added weight will cut you run time per battery. __________________ Align Trex 600e, 2x Align Trex 500cf, Align Trex 450SA, 450 Pro, Blade 400, JR X9503, JR XP7202 I must be doing something wrong! I keep planting helis but new ones never grow?

01-07-2010, 09:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
ingrahal Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2009	Related thread Here is a recent thread on this topic. __________________ B400, DS285MG x3, DS3400G/GY401, CC ICE Lite 50, HK2221-8, Align 335mm Woodies, CNC Tail hub/grips, DX6i Tx Blade mCX,Blade mSR Flying Helis since April 09 Have mastered FFF ckts and nose in landings. Starting on mild aerobatics.

01-07-2010, 11:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
Norseman1 Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Oct 2009	Wow....that is amazing. Are they that much lighter? Have you weighed them out? I have some on order...I think I will get a hurry up on them. Thanks

01-07-2010, 03:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jskrapper Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2009	I concur. I recently switched align pro 325's. These far outshine eflite carbon fibers. Balance and cut is far superior and I am getting close to 8 minute solid hovers. Cyclic response is amazing yet handle-able.

01-07-2010, 04:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
Capt. Speirs Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: KSNA	I am waiting for my Align Pro 335's, see how those are.

01-07-2010, 09:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
imq707s Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2008	I would think that the profile is where you are seeing most of the benefits from...not the weight. Once you get them spinning...the weight doens't come into play as much as the profile...and home much power is required to keep them spinning. Now if you were doing lots of 3d stuff, up and down on the throttle....then the weight would play a bigger factor. __________________ Honey Bee FP CopterX 450 SE V2, Turnigy Plush 40a ESC, Sonix 3500kv motor, S306G's, S9257 w/Assan GA250 gyro

01-07-2010, 11:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
Creaky Cactus HF Support Thread Starter Join Date: Dec 2008	OP here... I figured out the perfect shim material. Perfect thickness, available everywhere. The top of a plastic Coca Cola bottle cap is 1.5 mm thick. (1) Drink the coke (2) Remove the plastic cap liner (3) Cut a circle out of the top of the cap (it has a circle imprinted on the inside already!) (4) Drill a 1/8 inch hole PRESTO! A perfect shim made of some really tough material. Forget yogurt lids and credit cards. This beats 'em all. Slyster, give it a try and if you like it... maybe add it to the bible. The Cactus __________________ The Cactus - Just pick up the sticks, and FLY! Blade (mCX, CX2, mSR, mCP X, mCPX BL; 180 CFX, 400) * T-Rex (450SE2, 600E) Blade (Nano QX, 200 QX) * DX7 * Phoenix v5.5k Helis and MRs wrecked while-U-wait since 2008-05-27

01-08-2010, 09:47 AM	#12 (permalink)
Jskrapper Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2009	I like this ^^^

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