Major 600SE tail build issues

[3D Dave]

Well guys, I'm having a very difficult time with my Logo 600SE build (tail).

Let me start by saying this is my 4th Logo and 2nd 600SE. I just built the first 600SE for my friend a week ago. I'm pretty familiar with their assembly now and did NOT have any issues with his CF tail case. It went together smoothly.

The problem with my SE is that my pitch slider has slight binding when going inside (toward the boom). I've had it off and on over a dozen times now. I've sanded/filed the inside of the plastic braces (so the bolts go in and out smoothly).

I had RH send me a new metal tail bracket (3077) as I thought mine had the hole drilled and tapped slightly crooked. The new one was slightly better but I still have the binding. If I push down on the silver control arm bracket the binding is reduced.

Taking the whole tail assembly off the boom to check shows no binding with the clamp bolts loose but then slight binding when they are tight.

I also thought maybe my bearings weren't glued in perfectly straight. They appear to be fine (but if I want to try a new set I have to buy them). I've now added shims inside the tail pulley and washers inside the CF pieces to try to get the left and right tail pieces closer to the same distance apart. RH told me they have to be the same distance at all bolt holes but there's no way to do that as the boom diameter is too wide.

I keep trying to tell myself it will be ok and the tail will "break in" but I know V-Bar is NOT going to like a binding tail (even slightly).

This issue REALLY has frustrated. So much that I'm starting to think about another brand (thinking 700) even though I've loved my L500 for several years now.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[el guapo]

there should be a gap...don't use full throw. i get a bind down there but its not a usable part of the travel




"Please take note about aerodynamical limits. There will be more throw possible in this example but this will provide a stall effect (bad stop behaviour) only."
http://www.vstabi.info/en/node/842#tail

[gravydrive]

Try polishing the shaft with high grit sandpaper then finish it off with polishing compound and a buffing wheel. I do this to all my helis and the travel is smooth as butter!

[Andy from Sandy]

I found a posting on the vstabi forum that states the hardened tail shaft is over size and needs taking down a few thou. So I would suggest you do as gravydrive suggests. 800 or 1200 grit paper with oil will get the job done.

[Mentalic]

I always polish tail shafts for any heli with 800-1000 wet/dry paper to remove the machine tooling marks that can cause binding.

[3D Dave]

Thanks guys!

@el guapo, I get binding well before that distance on the shaft.

@ Mike, Andy & Wayne... I'll pull it apart and polish with my 800 wet/dry paper. There are no marks on it whatsoever though.

As I mentioned too, there is NO binding if the pitch slider is not connected to the arm/ball so it doesn't seem over sized and feels "smooth as butter" already.

I know I've had to polish the tail shafts on my L500 but I didn't have to polish the tail shaft on my friends 600SE that I just built so I assumed the tolerances and QC were improved so much that it wasn't needed.

[gravydrive]

Have you gone through the entire tail to look for binding? I sand down the flashing on the plastic balls, make sure the tail links move freely before inserting the pins, and polish the shaft on my Logo tail builds. Just go through everything one at a time and work out whatever is rough.

[BakedMopar]

I had a similar problem on my 400. Each piece moved freely but when together it binded baldy. One problem was the cup was rubbing the arm. After fixing that it still was a little tight so I sized the cup and that made it smooth. The stock tails need a little TLC but they work better than all the ones I've built and flown.

[3D Dave]

Mike & Mopar, I've methodically gone through each piece several times. I also go through the same details to make sure everything is smooth.

I chucked it up in my drill and sanded it down with 600 grit sandpaper and then steel wool. I did a little at time and kept checking but after 3 test fittings it's much better.

I did notice however that the tail shaft binds slightly more in one spot (in rotation). I never thought a brand new Mikado tail shaft would be bent (even though some knock-offs have been).

I guess trying a new tail shaft would be my next option.

Other than that, I think it will be ok now. I'm just going to continue the build and get a few dozen flights on her to let things break-in.

[FLYGUY 11]

I have never sanded my tail shafts.
I have had binding where the pitch fork connects to the grips. just a thought.

j

[Mentalic]

Originally Posted by 3D Dave

Thanks guys!

@ Mike, Andy & Wayne... I'll pull it apart and polish with my 800 wet/dry paper. There are no marks on it whatsoever though.

As I mentioned too, there is NO binding if the pitch slider is not connected to the arm/ball so it doesn't seem over sized and feels "smooth as butter" already.

I know I've had to polish the tail shafts on my L500 but I didn't have to polish the tail shaft on my friends 600SE that I just built so I assumed the tolerances and QC were improved so much that it wasn't needed.

The marks are finer than can be seen easily with the naked eye. Push the pitch slider against the shaft as you slide it and if there is any stick/slip it needs the polish job.

[Santini]

are the links the right way around? They need to have the little ledge at the rim towards the ball. Those pins/links need to be non binding and facing correctly.

[BakedMopar]

Did you size the cup on the slider assembly to the arm?

[3D Dave]

@J & Wayne, It was going to the inside 1/2 of travel that was binding. It's much better now with just a hair of binding on the very inside (appx 1/8")

RH sent me some new shafts to try if this one isn't right.

@Santini, links are correct direction. I check those closely every time I put them on.

@Mopar, I didn't size that cup but it seemed ok and felt smooth enough.

Thanks for all the help again guys. I hope to get back to work on it Sun.

I've been a little preoccupied with my Brittany... Ginger. We had to let her go early Friday morning after seizures caused by her brain tumor became unstoppable.

We've been giving her extra care & meds for 7 months to prevent/reduce the seizures and prolong her life. She was only 9 years old and most dogs her size & breed live to at least 13 or 14.