Atom 500 - tight linkages?

[RC Dbutz1]

Does anyone else find that the linkages are really tight on these things. I just purchased an Atom 500 and started building yesterday. I've been using the reaming tool to loosen the linkages a little bit, probably 5 good turns, and they are still hanging up on the linkage balls.

I've never seen linkage balls with the extra material sticking out like these ones. Should I use the xacto knife and cut this extra plastic off? I watched Bob's videos and I didn't see that he had so many issues reaming out the linkages.

I think this kit probably sat around for a while, so it may have gotten cold and the linkage got tight, I just wanted to see if I'm the only on who is seeing this or if anyone else had to ream the hell out of the linkages to get them to move smoothly on the balls.

Also, just another little question...would it be acceptable to use the scorpion ball bearing grease to grease up my head and tail on the Atom?

Thanks HF!

[Ah Clem]

The links are very tight and will not break in.

You are supposed to size them individually (it should be somewhere in the instructions).

The material is very hard so, unlike other links, these hardly ever wear out.

Do not fly it without sizing them!

As far as lubrication goes, use TriFlow (liquid) on the bearings, swash ball, washout control base (where is slides on the main rotor shaft), tail slider, and auto-rotation clutch.

Use grease on the thrust bearings in the head and tail rotor blade grips.

Grease in exposed areas will cause dirt/grit to collect.

[kevinator9]

Just as Ah Clem above has said.
Every atom owner has to size the links the same way. Compass make them purposely tight so you get the perfect fit to the ball when you size them and they links do not wear in so that fit stays the same.

Just thought it would be more re-assuring to have a few answers in the affirmative.

[flybar-les]

jep reaming the links to the right size is very important with these birds !

[hornet dave]

and they hardly ever wear out. Wait that's been said already. But it's really cool not to have to change out ball links on a regular basis.

[minnzoo]

You have to resize the Atom links but they hardly ever wear out!

[kevinator9]

What are you guys trying to say?

[Dflyer]

Originally Posted by kevinator9

What are you guys trying to say?

That Compass is producing real quality stuff perhaps .....

Grtz,
Dirk

[TheBum]

Originally Posted by Dflyer

That Compass is producing real quality stuff perhaps .....

It's just too bad they keep shooting themselves in the foot on the business side of things.

[Dflyer]

Maybe if we the pilots would let it calm down a bit and not make a big fuzz about it on all the forums Compass would be better off.

Let us fly their heli's and let Compass deal with their business. Some things we don't have to interfere with.

Just my 2 cents.

Grtz,
Dirk

[flybar-les]

yeah what has their manner of doing business with flying theyre helicopters ?

we are pilots and we fly, i am not a dealer or whatever so i do not have any problem wit them, i can buy my kits and parts almost everywhere and the heli's are good quality and fly good, that is what counts.

[Ah Clem]

"Maybe if we the pilots would let it calm down a bit and not make a big fuzz about it on all the forums Compass would be better off.

Let us fly their heli's and let Compass deal with their business. Some things we don't have to interfere with."


I agree completely!

I have been flying Compass machines for four years now and have never had a problem with getting parts or the machines themselves (since long before I was a Field Rep).

[TheBum]

Originally Posted by Dflyer

Let us fly their heli's and let Compass deal with their business. Some things we don't have to interfere with.

Just my 2 cents.

I'm not talking about interfering, but we should all be concerned with their business. I'm hoping that they'll finally settle down with the current set of distributors, but a lot of really good dealers have been lost in the shuffle.

But, I guess supporting really good dealers isn't important anymore as long as we can get what we want from somebody, right?

[TheBum]

Getting back on subject, I usually have to get the resizer that came with my Atom to almost spin freely in the links before they're loose enough for the balls, and even then it's sometimes not enough.

[minnzoo]

Originally Posted by TheBum

Getting back on subject, I usually have to get the resizer that came with my Atom to almost spin freely in the links before they're loose enough for the balls, and even then it's sometimes not enough.

Bum... ...always the facilitator