More Freebies: Align TREX 500 Flybar Lock

[tw-heli]

Got mine yesterday and used it to set-up my head. Fits very good, nice and snug. This is the first time I used a lock that you could just put it in place and forget it. I don’t think I ever set my head up so accurate. I really went thru all my linkages, and for some went plus or minus a turn to really get the best set-up for my collective and cyclic settings. (I always struggle with the my setting being off a half degree/degree between positive and negative) It was nice not worrying about if the flybar was level, I knew it was fixed and all my measurements were off the same reference. The other thing that was real nice was it was not in the way of anything. You can move the heli all around and take measurements from all sides without the lock interfering with anything.

Nice job - excellent tool. Here are some action shots.

[rdlohr]

Originally Posted by drsmith751

Got mine yesterday and used it to set-up my head. Fits very good, nice and snug. This is the first time I used a lock that you could just put it in place and forget it. I don’t think I ever set my head up so accurate. I really went thru all my linkages, and for some went plus or minus a turn to really get the best set-up for my collective and cyclic settings. (I always struggle with the my setting being off a half degree/degree between positive and negative) It was nice not worrying about if the flybar was level, I knew it was fixed and all my measurements were off the same reference. The other thing that was real nice was it was not in the way of anything. You can move the heli all around and take measurements from all sides without the lock interfering with anything.

Nice job - excellent tool. Here are some action shots.

Excellent review. Glad to hear it worked out for you too. Thanks for posting your results!

Rick

[rdlohr]

What this link. Ready Heli should have the 500 ESP version shortly:
http://www.readyheli.com/SearchResul...?Search=rdlohr

In the mean time, just PM me.
Rick

[rdlohr]

Originally Posted by caralmar

No, the align head is not perfectly flat... What I was thinking is something that has the same base as the head button, but then perhaps has a way of securing a flybar. You then screw this gadget to the head block and set the pitch.

Kind of like this?

[rdlohr]

Its got four pads, one in each corner so it sets perfectly level on the head. It uses a 450 flybar that most anyone has lying around and the stock button screw. I made the prototype for a 600 but it would easily scale to a 700, 500 or a 450. The real question is whether the FBL makers already provide a similar mechanism for cheap.

Rick

[caralmar]

Looks awesome! None do, except Align that just stated packaging it up w/ their 3G system. I'm sure you'll have lots of Mikado & Skookum customers!

Ahem... so what's my co-inventor commission... How bout lifetime supply of clearly superior products?

[rdlohr]

Originally Posted by caralmar

Looks awesome! None do, except Align that just stated packaging it up w/ their 3G system. I'm sure you'll have lots of Mikado & Skookum customers!

Ahem... so what's my co-inventor commission... How bout lifetime supply of clearly superior products?

LOL. Thanks for the idea. Typically I give you "inspired by" credit in my write ups and I'll give you one for free.
I had fun designing it. I had never done a two part item before and had never really used the thicker Lexan.
Rick

[rdlohr]

Originally Posted by caralmar

Looks awesome! None do, except Align that just stated packaging it up w/ their 3G system. I'm sure you'll have lots of Mikado & Skookum customers!

Ahem... so what's my co-inventor commission... How bout lifetime supply of clearly superior products?

So Mikado & Skookum sell FBL systems that Align customers use instead of the Align 3G system. That's cool. I have heads for almost all the Align helis from making Flybar Locks.

Rick

[BobOD]

How about some Turnbuckle Links to go with that? No more 1-turn (or even 1/2 turn) adjustments. They're infinately adjustable. And, you don't have to pop them off to adjust them. Really helpful on getting the flybar cage perfectly level.
http://www.rc-tek.com/us_store/fbl50...pcs-p2227.html

[rdlohr]

Originally Posted by BobOD

How about some Turnbuckle Links to go with that? No more 1-turn (or even 1/2 turn) adjustments. They're infinately adjustable. And, you don't have to pop them off to adjust them. Really helpful on getting the flybar cage perfectly level.
http://www.rc-tek.com/us_store/fbl50...pcs-p2227.html

Those are really sweet. I wonder why they don't make that center part with flat edges so you can use a little wrench to adjust them.
Rick

[MatsSweden]

Originally Posted by rdlohr

I have heads for almost all the Align helis from making Flybar Locks.

Rick

Hi Rick,

Any plans on making a trex 250SE version?
Align # [KX019005]

thx
/Mats

[rdlohr]

Send me the top of that sweet head for a few days and I'll make a Flybar lock for it Bob. Unless, maybe the stock one will work.
Rick

[BobOD]

I'm not sure what you mean. These are meant to be adjusted with a wrench on the center part. The threads are a different pitch on each side so very fine adjustment is possible.

[BobOD]

Originally Posted by rdlohr

Send me the top of that sweet head for a few days and I'll make a Flybar lock for it Bob. Unless, maybe the stock one will work.
Rick

I can do that.

[rdlohr]

Originally Posted by BobOD

I'm not sure what you mean. These are meant to be adjusted with a wrench on the center part. The threads are a different pitch on each side so very fine adjustment is possible.

In the picture the center part looks round.
Rick

[BobOD]

They're kind of oval. You can see it in the pic of the head assembly.
I did that so you can be really flexible with the size wrench you need so most people have something lying around that'll fit.

[rdlohr]

Originally Posted by BobOD

They're kind of oval. You can see it in the pic of the head assembly.
I did that so you can be really flexible with the size wrench you need so most people have something lying around that'll fit.

Oh. You're right. Its easy to see there.

Rick

[Vinci]

Originally Posted by rdlohr

Those are really sweet. I wonder why they don't make that center part with flat edges so you can use a little wrench to adjust them.
Rick

That won't work, look closely at the pictures and you'll notice that one halve has clockwise thread, the other halve has counter clockwise tread, that's how these 'turnbuckles' work. If you have the same thread on the whole link (like the stock Align ones) and make a flat spot on them, then you could turn the link without changing the distance.

Your 450 and 500 Flybar locks are awesome btw, next time I'll order something at readyheli I'll get both. Nice work!

[BobOD]

Originally Posted by Vinci

That won't work, look closely at the pictures and you'll notice that one halve has clockwise thread, the other halve has counter clockwise tread, that's how these 'turnbuckles' work. If you have the same thread on the whole link (like the stock Align ones) and make a flat spot on them, then you could turn the link without changing the distance.

Actually, the links I make do have clockwise threads on both ends. One is a fine pitch and the other coarse. I did that so the adjustment is very fine. Also, they cannot be backed all the way out this way.
Sorry for the Hi-jack Rick. :o Nice locks ya got there.

[MatsSweden]

And ordered, for the 500ESP

Thanks Rick for your quick reply on my e-mail.

Now, if we only could have this for the 250SEV2

/Mats