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AP and Scale Discussions for Scale, Multi-blade and AP applications using CSM Cyclock, Helitronix Multi-mixer, Spartan AP2000i, Firmtronix, Digimix-3. |
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12-31-2007, 03:38 PM | #1 (permalink) |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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Lightning 4 Blade Head
I just received my 4 blade lightning head from RC-Experts so I thought I'd share my first impressions.
First off, I ordered the head ($99) and a Trex450 S Aluminum kit ($169.) the week of Christmas, they shipped the following day and it arrived today. Not bad considering there are a lot of holidays in between... it came from Hong Kong. Now the head. First impressions... it a good quality head. Build well, although it is not CNC as stated. The parts are actually molded from CNC originals. I couldn't see a seam at first, but it is visible under the right lighting conditions. Still, as I mentioned, it's not really an issue since they are well finished (by hand?). My only concern is that I hope they used quality aluminum when pouring. However I'm not worried about the process, I used to race motorcycles in the 80's and a lot of stress bearing parts (triple clamps and head) are molded from alum using the same basic process. Making the parts from a mold then finishing by hand is the only way they can keep the pricing down. I did some measuring and it looks like a few things can be swamped out such as the main shaft for the titanium version by align (at a later time). The button top on the head appears to be machined as does the swash plate. Although if this project works, I may swap in an align swash plate after drilling an extra hole for the fifth ball joint. The thing I like about this head is it's REALLY simple. As long as the grips don't break, I can probably make my own replacement parts on a lathe. Later down the road I think I'll see if Align feather shafts will fit. I didn't see any place to buy replacement parts... at $99 I can't see the point. A word about the Trex450 S kit I bought, I got the cheapest I could find. I didn't want to gut my Trex 450se v2 for this experiment. I like alum so I didn't care that that was what I found. BUT when I opened up the package I saw that they had swapped out the alum frame for a Silver Carbon Fiber frame... ok... it's not what I ordered. But that's ok... I'm doing a carbon fiber/ silver alum theme on this baby. BTW... the only weakness I can see are the control rods, they are thinner than the stock align control rods and seem to be made of a weaker steel. I plan on getting some alum rod and using my lathe to made a set of rods that are more robust. All in all, if you want to get into Multi-Blade. I think this is your best bet. At $99 you can take the money I saved and buy two more gyros. I'll keep everyone posted on how it goes. Deron
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Wren54 & Trex744 |
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01-09-2008, 09:15 AM | #3 (permalink) |
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Here's a link to the site. It has better pictures than I could take.
http://www.rc-expert.com/accessory.p...147&aid=li0007
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Wren54 & Trex744 |
03-15-2008, 05:15 AM | #4 (permalink) |
Join Date: Jan 2007
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ddragon,
Any update on how your heli flies? I'm really interested as I was looking at the same head. My main question is how difficult is it to set up and how unstable is it? Any input would be appreciated, thanks!! Mark |
03-26-2008, 06:56 PM | #5 (permalink) |
Join Date: Mar 2008
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where you able to remove all of the balls on the swash plate. B/c I purchased one and in taking the balls out of the swash plate i broke the one on the right side of the swash plate so i purchased another swash plate and in trying to change the ball again i broke the same one. I am not sure weather it is me or if it a problem with that side of the swash plate.
P.S. The reason i was changing the balls i have a blade 400 and the balls are smaller |
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