Metal vs Plastic Parts

ov10mech · 03-30-2009, 12:51 AM

I crashed my 500 CF for the first time after 25 flights or so. A number of plastic components broke (i.e. see saw holder, mixing arms, radius arms, washout control arms, etc) and I am wondering if this is pretty typical for 500 crashes. I have planted my 450SE at least 20x and don't ever recall breaking or banding any metal head pieces.

My underlying question is if the metal stuff is worth spending the money on. Do they sell a complete 500 metal head like they do on the 450??

I thought I would share the crash picture. It's a classic. Talk about a lawn dart

. The ground was mushy thankfully.

Lplate · 03-30-2009, 01:21 AM

I can't remember exactly but... I thought the metal parts cost only abit more than replacement plastic parts. That's why I'm thinking it makes sense to just get metal parts after crash.

cd5 · 03-30-2009, 02:03 AM

Plastic breaks, metal bends. Sometimes a slight bend will go unnotices giving you problems where are break is obvious. In saying that, Id get the maetal mixing/washout arms, keep the seesaw platic,and keep the belt and tailcase plastic. Ive heard the plastic tail case can hold up better in a prang.

ov10mech · 03-30-2009, 10:08 AM

Thanks.. I went ahead with the metal upgrades I could find.

bloftin · 03-30-2009, 12:24 PM

You'll break plastic, or bend metal. As far as performance there's no difference IMO.

ov10mech · 03-30-2009, 12:31 PM

My primary concern is reducing the amount of parts after a crash. If metal will reduce the rebuild time I am for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloftin

You'll break plastic, or bend metal. As far as performance there's no difference IMO.

bloftin · 03-30-2009, 12:48 PM

I fly both metal and plastic. It's a dice roll as to what bends / breaks. I'm not sure metal will save time or parts. Luck helps more than anything.

Are you repairing at the field?

ov10mech · 03-30-2009, 12:52 PM

Not reparing at the field. I have 3 other helis to fly. I guess I am just going by my 450 experience. The metal seems to hold up very well, even on a tough crash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bloftin

I fly both metal and plastic. It's a dice roll as to what bends / breaks. I'm not sure metal will save time or parts. Luck helps more than anything.

Are you repairing at the field?

Lottomunch · 03-30-2009, 01:31 PM

I have a zillion crashes with my 450 and only a few with a raptor 50.

(I've got a 500 in the mail....thats why I'm reading these threads)

I've found that the super light weight of the 450 really helps out in crashes. I've had 4-5 crashes where my 450 flew after I've crashed it. It's far from a perfect flight and I keep it at quite a distance for safety but not many heli's fly again (with no work) after being crashed.

Daniel

O yeah....one more thing.....

That picture rocks. Can you imagine the number of parts that would have broken if it was concrete or asphault?

Mart61 · 03-30-2009, 01:47 PM

I'm of the opinion that, with the metal parts, if they do not break or bend then the stresses encountered in the crash will be transferred somewhere else.

Sometimes it's a good thing to have a weak link in the chain.

perfeet · 03-30-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lottomunch

I've found that the super light weight of the 450 really helps out in crashes. I've had 4-5 crashes where my 450 flew after I've crashed it.

The blades on a Trex 500 weighs about three times as much as on a Trex 450. There is a lot more energy and momentum to stop during a crash....

airpup86C · 03-30-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ov10mech

My primary concern is reducing the amount of parts after a crash. ...

I've had 6 crashes since last April. I broke one plastic mixing arm in one of them. All the other plastic head parts are still original.

Just another data point for ya.

Al

03-30-2009, 12:51 AM	#1
ov10mech Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern Illinois	Metal vs Plastic Parts I crashed my 500 CF for the first time after 25 flights or so. A number of plastic components broke (i.e. see saw holder, mixing arms, radius arms, washout control arms, etc) and I am wondering if this is pretty typical for 500 crashes. I have planted my 450SE at least 20x and don't ever recall breaking or banding any metal head pieces. My underlying question is if the metal stuff is worth spending the money on. Do they sell a complete 500 metal head like they do on the 450?? I thought I would share the crash picture. It's a classic. Talk about a lawn dart . The ground was mushy thankfully. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-30-2009, 02:03 AM	#3
cd5 Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: penrith/Australia	Plastic breaks, metal bends. Sometimes a slight bend will go unnotices giving you problems where are break is obvious. In saying that, Id get the maetal mixing/washout arms, keep the seesaw platic,and keep the belt and tailcase plastic. Ive heard the plastic tail case can hold up better in a prang. __________________ trex 450 pro MA furion6 Synergy N5

03-30-2009, 10:08 AM	#4
ov10mech Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern Illinois	Thanks.. I went ahead with the metal upgrades I could find. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-30-2009, 01:47 PM	#10
Mart61 Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Surrey, UK	I'm of the opinion that, with the metal parts, if they do not break or bend then the stresses encountered in the crash will be transferred somewhere else. Sometimes it's a good thing to have a weak link in the chain. __________________ Martin T-rex 600NSP, 500GF, 450SEv2, 250SE, mSR, mCX, DX7, 2xEGS, OBE, VD and Bar To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Citizen Smith

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03-30-2009, 01:21 AM	#2
Lplate Registered Users Join Date: May 2008 Location: Singapore	I can't remember exactly but... I thought the metal parts cost only abit more than replacement plastic parts. That's why I'm thinking it makes sense to just get metal parts after crash.

03-30-2009, 12:24 PM	#5
bloftin Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Midland, TX	You'll break plastic, or bend metal. As far as performance there's no difference IMO.

03-30-2009, 12:48 PM	#7
bloftin Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Midland, TX	I fly both metal and plastic. It's a dice roll as to what bends / breaks. I'm not sure metal will save time or parts. Luck helps more than anything. Are you repairing at the field?

03-30-2009, 01:31 PM	#9
Lottomunch Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego, CA	I have a zillion crashes with my 450 and only a few with a raptor 50. (I've got a 500 in the mail....thats why I'm reading these threads) I've found that the super light weight of the 450 really helps out in crashes. I've had 4-5 crashes where my 450 flew after I've crashed it. It's far from a perfect flight and I keep it at quite a distance for safety but not many heli's fly again (with no work) after being crashed. Daniel O yeah....one more thing..... That picture rocks. Can you imagine the number of parts that would have broken if it was concrete or asphault?