This thing is getting expensive!

[dhc8guru]

In a dozen flights, I have had three tail blade grips show up with cracks. lost one blade when a tail grip departed. One tail blade departed in flight, obviously broke at the root because the screw was still in the grip holder. Two sets of tail bearings. Two pitch sliders, two "C" gears. All of these happened not related to a crash. All but one crash were inflight failures.
So I am figuring this thing costs just in parts per flight just, under $6. At three minutes per flight, thats $2 a minute.
I think I am going to park it until a new tail section comes out. I like Blade Heli's but this is definitely the last Blade heli I ever own. Believe me I am jaded on the cost of Heli repairs but, I have never owned one that requires parts to be constantly replaced just from normal use. Without a doubt one of the few heli's that really puts a grin on my face but what a POS!

[alex7703]

Originally Posted by dhc8guru

In a dozen flights, I have had three tail blade grips show up with cracks. lost one blade when a tail grip departed. One tail blade departed in flight, obviously broke at the root because the screw was still in the grip holder. Two sets of tail bearings. Two pitch sliders, two "C" gears. All of these happened not related to a crash. All but one crash were inflight failures.
So I am figuring this thing costs just in parts per flight just, under $6. At three minutes per flight, thats $2 a minute.
I think I am going to park it until a new tail section comes out. I like Blade Heli's but this is definitely the last Blade heli I ever own. Believe me I am jaded on the cost of Heli repairs but, I have never owned one that requires parts to be constantly replaced just from normal use. Without a doubt one of the few heli's that really puts a grin on my face but what a POS!

I had an issue with my tail blade grips too. I noticed that you can torgue the screws down pretty good the first time I adjusted them. I thought that was what cracked mine. I used CA on the forming cracks and swapped them out for new ones yesterday. The one that I CA'ed fell apart in my hand when pulling it off, so that was apparently a bad idea. You definitely have to keep the blades loose for sure.

Another issue that I had while changing the grips was one bearing didn't want to come off the TT. I had to heat it up a little to get finally get it off.

[pixeltim]

Originally Posted by dhc8guru

In a dozen flights, I have had three tail blade grips show up with cracks. lost one blade when a tail grip departed. One tail blade departed in flight, obviously broke at the root because the screw was still in the grip holder. Two sets of tail bearings. Two pitch sliders, two "C" gears. All of these happened not related to a crash. All but one crash were inflight failures.
So I am figuring this thing costs just in parts per flight just, under $6. At three minutes per flight, thats $2 a minute.
I think I am going to park it until a new tail section comes out. I like Blade Heli's but this is definitely the last Blade heli I ever own. Believe me I am jaded on the cost of Heli repairs but, I have never owned one that requires parts to be constantly replaced just from normal use. Without a doubt one of the few heli's that really puts a grin on my face but what a POS!

I totally agree, it's a true love/hate relationship!
It's probably like dating a supermodel...

[JB123]

Dating a supermodel would go under the worth it category!

[newhelliguy]

$2 an hour to date a supermodel doesn't sound bad.

[newhelliguy]

Well considering the give the wife half it might not be a good idea. Always hidden cost

[pixeltim]

Originally Posted by newhelliguy

Well considering the give the wife half it might not be a good idea. Always hidden cost

The devil is in the details....

[03Bugeye]

Originally Posted by alex7703

I had an issue with my tail blade grips too. I noticed that you can torgue the screws down pretty good the first time I adjusted them. I thought that was what cracked mine. I used CA on the forming cracks and swapped them out for new ones yesterday. The one that I CA'ed fell apart in my hand when pulling it off, so that was apparently a bad idea. You definitely have to keep the blades loose for sure.

Another issue that I had while changing the grips was one bearing didn't want to come off the TT. I had to heat it up a little to get finally get it off.

starting to sound like, the design in the grips. Is not matching the tail blade roots some how. Between that and bent shafts from the factory. MEGA vibes in the house.

[Lompma]

I could have had a Trex 250 DFC Pro by now! And on the way to upgrading the ESC to a Kontronik 15!!

[alex7703]

Originally Posted by 03Bugeye

starting to sound like, the design in the grips. Is not matching the tail blade roots some how. Between that and bent shafts from the factory. MEGA vibes in the house.

I think they fixed the TT problem. I've got 2 spares that are straight and true. I got 1 from HH and 1 from Ampdraw. The grips seem strange, but this is my first heli with tail grips. There seems to be a ton of space between the grips and blade itself. Not sure if that is normal. I don't feel it is that big of a deal though once I learned not to over tighten them. Not that I wanted them tight to begin with. I've gotten into the habit of tightening my blades all the way down then backing them off. Didn't work in this case. I still love the little bird though. I'm having a blast with it.

[dhc8guru]

Well you guys sure know how to put a funny spin on things. If I was E-flight I would be embarrassed. This thing is starting to bring back memories of the Blade CP. I do mechanical design and this thing isn't designed improper, it appears to be more of a material selection issue. The TT gears can be written off as expendable. Even without any crashes, the D hole is going to wear out probably every dozen flights. The bearings should last a long time. Heck, I have tail bearings in my Trex 450 that probably have 400 flights on them that still are like new. Never had a tail blade just "depart" for no reason.
But man when this thing is running, it is sweeeeet! I don't know that I would compare it to a supermodel..more like a B*tchy supermodel.

[pixeltim]

Originally Posted by dhc8guru

Well you guys sure know how to put a funny spin on things. If I was E-flight I would be embarrassed. This thing is starting to bring back memories of the Blade CP. I do mechanical design and this thing isn't designed improper, it appears to be more of a material selection issue. The TT gears can be written off as expendable. Even without any crashes, the D hole is going to wear out probably every dozen flights. The bearings should last a long time. Heck, I have tail bearings in my Trex 450 that probably have 400 flights on them that still are like new. Never had a tail blade just "depart" for no reason.
But man when this thing is running, it is sweeeeet! I don't know that I would compare it to a supermodel..more like a B*tchy supermodel.

Aren't all supermodels a pain in some ways? Lol

I agree about the engineering, although I think the shafts could be a bit larger in diameter, then the C and D gears wouldn't strip out as fast. They are designed to be sacrificial as they should be but the qc is lacking too.

[esmoglo]

Originally Posted by pixeltim

I totally agree, it's a true love/hate relationship!
It's probably like dating a supermodel...

Man I would like to try that...