How tight should the main blades be?

[jhamel]

I seems that the bigger the helicopters with the corresponding bigger main blades, the tighter the main blades should be. These are my question:

1) How do you tell that you have optimal tightness?

2) How do you tell if the main blades are too tight or too loose?

3) What are the detrimental effects from too tight or too loose main blades?

Thanks

[Slyster]

Tighten enough so they hold when the heli is tilted sideways.. but loose enough so when you bounce the heli up and down they can move a bit.

[Dr. M]

1) like sly said, snug the blades up until they hold their own weight with the heli sideways. Then give tha screw another 1/16 turn.

2) you can't move the blades in the grip by hand= too tight; blades flop around by themselves: too loose.

3) too tight>vibes; too loose>boom strikes

[jhamel]

Originally Posted by Slyster

Tighten enough so they hold when the heli is tilted sideways.. but loose enough so when you bounce the heli up and down they can move a bit.

Yes. I have seen John Salt's videos on his website http://www.rchelicopterfun.com where he uses the same method you describe. The part that gets to be a little tricky is when there is not power to the helicopter electronics, and the blades do not stay at 0 degrees. I am just wondering if there is a less cumbersome method. I guess I can always power up the electronics and check for blade tightness at mid stick.

Thanks.

[jhamel]

Originally Posted by Dr. M

too tight>vibes; too loose>boom strikes

Thanks. That is helpful information.

[jhamel]

BTW, does anybody use washers with the blade screw. My blade grips have circular marks from tightening the blade screws. I wonder if a properly sized washer would remedy this.