RDLohr's TREX 450 Flybar Locks - Page 2

rdlohr · 10-20-2009, 10:28 PM

Since this is close to a real product now, I'll move this to aftermarket parts.
Rick

rdlohr · 10-25-2009, 03:14 PM

Do you guys that got locks like them? How do they work?

Rick

Wolfpackin · 10-29-2009, 10:33 PM

I just tried out my rdlohr flybar lock and all I can say is "Wow, put the fun back into head setup."

My OCD anal retentive condition forces me to try for the most precise pitch setup everytime I tune my heli. One of the things that has always bothered me is the inability to get repeatable and accurate collective and cyclic pitch readings due to the flybar not being exactly level or not being in exactly the same position when I switch blades or turn the rotor blades.

Let's face it, pitch readings are only as accurate as the human eye's ability to see level or aligned planes. Add into that mix the task of making the flybar perfectly level, 90° to the main shaft, and you have two areas for error. This makes pitch readings, at least in my experience, very inaccurate and inconsistant.

Well, Rick has solved the flybar leveling problem with his new flybar lock tool.
I've tried eyeballing, cutting a foam blade holder along with some other not so great ideas. This tool works flawlessly.

Once the tool is put into position the rotor disk can be turned in any orientation. This enables the user to take collective pitch readings with the blades on either side of the heli (or in any random orientation), and to take cyclic pitch measurements for AIL and ELE, all without having to remove or reset the tool. Consistancy is now attainable.

IMO, this flybar lock is now on the list of must have setup tools right along side the pitch gauge and swashplate leveling tool.

Great job, Rick!

rdlohr · 10-29-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfpackin

I just tried out my rdlohr flybar lock and all I can say is "Wow, put the fun back into head setup."

My OCD anal retentive condition forces me to try for the most precise pitch setup everytime I tune my heli. One of the things that has always bothered me is the inability to get repeatable and accurate collective and cyclic pitch readings due to the flybar not being exactly level or not being in exactly the same position when I switch blades or turn the rotor blades.

Let's face it, pitch readings are only as accurate as the human eye's ability to see level or aligned planes. Add into that mix the task of making the flybar perfectly level, 90° to the main shaft, and you have two areas for error. This makes pitch readings, at least in my experience, very inaccurate and inconsistant.

Well, Rick has solved the flybar leveling problem with his new flybar lock tool.
I've tried eyeballing, cutting a foam blade holder along with some other not so great ideas. This tool works flawlessly.

Once the tool is put into position the rotor disk can be turned in any orientation. This enables the user to take collective pitch readings with the blades on either side of the heli (or in any random orientation), and to take cyclic pitch measurements for AIL and ELE, all without having to remove or reset the tool. Consistancy is now attainable.

IMO, this flybar lock is now on the list of must have setup tools right along side the pitch gauge and swashplate leveling tool.

Great job, Rick!

Excellent! You just made my day. Glad it worked out!
Rick

rdlohr · 10-29-2009, 11:19 PM

I'm really interested to hear which heads it works on, and which it doesn't. I'll make multiple versions as necessary. Hopefully the clones match up with the Align versions. What I know so far:

Align V1/V2 (SA Metal Head): Works great
CopterX V2: A little tight on . (May required a little sanding) (Wolfpackin)
Align Plastic seesaw: Dougb returned filed down version. I CADed it. I need to mill it and send to doug to try)
Align Sport (V3): Need data (Dougb filed one up. caralmar sending me a head)
Align Pro: I plan to buy a Pro for Christmas that I can used to make a lock

Just so you know, I made it pretty tight on purpose to assure it holds in place and really locks the flybar. It will push in past the lever arm, but not clear to the cylinder.

Also, sounds like $10 is a reasonable price.

Rick

almsy · 11-26-2009, 10:12 PM

Rick,
The flybar lock you graciously sent me to try works great on my 450SA. I have upgraded to metal all the original plastic parts except for the blade grips over the last 2 years on the SA and it fit perfectly. Your design is so easy to slip into place and it locks the flybar securely without any issues whatsoever. It is so easy to use, there is no reason not to use it, even for a quick pitch check. I was able to verify what I had suspected for awhile, my negative pitch was a bit greater than the positive and it allowed me to make adjustments without 'eyeballing' the flybar as I have always done in the past. You definitely have a winner here! It compliments you other items very well. Keep up the good work, those of us in the Heli community do appreciate your efforts. I must add that nothing could be easier or quicker to use to lock the flybar in place.
Thank you, and....
Fly safely!
Almsy
Mattoon, IL

rdlohr · 11-26-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almsy

Rick,
The flybar lock you graciously sent me to try works great on my 450SA. I have upgraded to metal all the original plastic parts except for the blade grips over the last 2 years on the SA and it fit perfectly. Your design is so easy to slip into place and it locks the flybar securely without any issues whatsoever. It is so easy to use, there is no reason not to use it, even for a quick pitch check. I was able to verify what I had suspected for awhile, my negative pitch was a bit greater than the positive and it allowed me to make adjustments without 'eyeballing' the flybar as I have always done in the past. You definitely have a winner here! It compliments you other items very well. Keep up the good work, those of us in the Heli community do appreciate your efforts. I must add that nothing could be easier or quicker to use to lock the flybar in place.
Thank you, and....
Fly safely!
Almsy
Mattoon, IL

I'm so glad to hear that Almsy! Everyone has liked them so far that I know of. Someone is sending me a Sport Head, and I'm buying a Pro, so I'll make locks for them also. Thanks much for taking the time to post. That was a perfect ending to a great day!

Rick

Flying Foot Doc · 11-29-2009, 08:04 PM

Rick, Let me know when you get teh V2 tool done, I'll take one. I have tried all sorts of things to get teh head dialed in & it just keeps fightting me. Maybe this will help. Andy

rdlohr · 11-29-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flying Foot Doc

Rick, Let me know when you get teh V2 tool done, I'll take one. I have tried all sorts of things to get teh head dialed in & it just keeps fightting me. Maybe this will help. Andy

The V1 and V2 tool are the same. Email me at rlohr@nycap.rr.com. Hopefully it will help you out.

Rick

caralmar · 11-29-2009, 08:51 PM

Hey Rick, I'm finally back to the land of the living out of the Thanksgiving bloated haze! I got my Sport head. Brand spanking new bud, still sealed in bags. I'll try to get it out to you tomorrow sometime!

rdlohr · 11-29-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caralmar

Hey Rick, I'm finally back to the land of the living out of the Thanksgiving bloated haze! I got my Sport head. Brand spanking new bud, still sealed in bags. I'll try to get it out to you tomorrow sometime!

Great. I look forward to it. DougB gave me a good start at how to do it so I'm looking forward to perfecting it on your Sport head. I really appreciate you sending me the head and the help everyone has been giving me on these! I'm glad they are helping people out!

Rick

caralmar · 11-29-2009, 09:19 PM

Yeah, I bought some servos from him a week ago! Hey, do you have a 220mm flybar and a swash leveler for the Sport/Pro? Do you need the swash leveler too? I have a TrueBlood leveler... but not sure if you need that for calibrating the head. Let me know and I'll throw it in the box too.

caralmar · 11-29-2009, 09:34 PM

Ignore my last post. I just sealed the box. Leveler and flybar are in there too... just in case. It was either finish packing it right now or at 6:45 tomorrow morning. And at that time of the morning, I could have mistakenly sent you a can of sardines instead of the rotor head!

rdlohr · 11-29-2009, 10:11 PM

LOL. All are appreciated. Sardines are good too.
Rick

caralmar · 11-30-2009, 02:52 PM

Ok, just got back from the Post Office. Sardines in the mail!

rdlohr · 11-30-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caralmar

Ok, just got back from the Post Office. Sardines in the mail!

Great. Thanks!
Rick

rdlohr · 12-03-2009, 08:02 PM

Thanks to dougb and caralmar, we know have a TREX 450 Sport Flybar Lock. Dougb filed me an initial rough idea and caralmar sent me his Sport head so I could perfect it. Came out pretty sweet if I do say so myself.

How does it look?
Rick

rdlohr · 12-03-2009, 09:57 PM

Freebies to the first two people that PM me with your shipping name and address. In return, simply post pictures showing you get full range of motion with your flybar lock in place. I made the locks with a raw head and I'm pretty sure I accounted for all the motion but this will verify it for me.

Thanks
Rick

Andyzboy · 12-03-2009, 10:16 PM

Wait, would this work on a v2? Disregard my pm if it wont, thanks!

eclipso104 · 12-03-2009, 10:18 PM

wow that is neat.. I will take one

10-20-2009, 10:28 PM	#21
rdlohr HF Support Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts	Since this is close to a real product now, I'll move this to aftermarket parts. Rick __________________ Helifreak, the place to be! Rush 750,Logo 400SE 600SE, TREX 450SE, 500, 600, Blade mCPX,130X My products, flown by top pilots around the world, like you! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-25-2009, 03:14 PM	#22
rdlohr HF Support Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts	Do you guys that got locks like them? How do they work? Rick __________________ Helifreak, the place to be! Rush 750,Logo 400SE 600SE, TREX 450SE, 500, 600, Blade mCPX,130X My products, flown by top pilots around the world, like you! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-29-2009, 10:33 PM	#23
Wolfpackin HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eagle, CO	A Simple Solution to a Difficult Problem I just tried out my rdlohr flybar lock and all I can say is "Wow, put the fun back into head setup." My OCD anal retentive condition forces me to try for the most precise pitch setup everytime I tune my heli. One of the things that has always bothered me is the inability to get repeatable and accurate collective and cyclic pitch readings due to the flybar not being exactly level or not being in exactly the same position when I switch blades or turn the rotor blades. Let's face it, pitch readings are only as accurate as the human eye's ability to see level or aligned planes. Add into that mix the task of making the flybar perfectly level, 90° to the main shaft, and you have two areas for error. This makes pitch readings, at least in my experience, very inaccurate and inconsistant. Well, Rick has solved the flybar leveling problem with his new flybar lock tool. I've tried eyeballing, cutting a foam blade holder along with some other not so great ideas. This tool works flawlessly. Once the tool is put into position the rotor disk can be turned in any orientation. This enables the user to take collective pitch readings with the blades on either side of the heli (or in any random orientation), and to take cyclic pitch measurements for AIL and ELE, all without having to remove or reset the tool. Consistancy is now attainable. IMO, this flybar lock is now on the list of must have setup tools right along side the pitch gauge and swashplate leveling tool. Great job, Rick! __________________ Zen and the Art of Helicopter Maintenance Blade 400: E-flite 420H/35X ESC, AR6100e, HS65HB x 3, G401B/DS290G. (Ret.) CopterX 450AE V2: 430XL/35X ESC, AR6100, HS65HB x 3, LTG2100T/HSG-5084MG. T-Rex 550E V1 Classic Flybar: 600MX/BL70G, AR6200, DS610 x 3, Quark/DS650, 16t/520mm blades.

10-29-2009, 11:19 PM	#25
rdlohr HF Support Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts	I'm really interested to hear which heads it works on, and which it doesn't. I'll make multiple versions as necessary. Hopefully the clones match up with the Align versions. What I know so far: Align V1/V2 (SA Metal Head): Works great CopterX V2: A little tight on . (May required a little sanding) (Wolfpackin) Align Plastic seesaw: Dougb returned filed down version. I CADed it. I need to mill it and send to doug to try) Align Sport (V3): Need data (Dougb filed one up. caralmar sending me a head) Align Pro: I plan to buy a Pro for Christmas that I can used to make a lock Just so you know, I made it pretty tight on purpose to assure it holds in place and really locks the flybar. It will push in past the lever arm, but not clear to the cylinder. Also, sounds like $10 is a reasonable price. Rick __________________ Helifreak, the place to be! Rush 750,Logo 400SE 600SE, TREX 450SE, 500, 600, Blade mCPX,130X My products, flown by top pilots around the world, like you! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by rdlohr; 11-29-2009 at 09:00 PM..

11-26-2009, 10:12 PM	#26
almsy Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central Illinois	It's a winner! Rick, The flybar lock you graciously sent me to try works great on my 450SA. I have upgraded to metal all the original plastic parts except for the blade grips over the last 2 years on the SA and it fit perfectly. Your design is so easy to slip into place and it locks the flybar securely without any issues whatsoever. It is so easy to use, there is no reason not to use it, even for a quick pitch check. I was able to verify what I had suspected for awhile, my negative pitch was a bit greater than the positive and it allowed me to make adjustments without 'eyeballing' the flybar as I have always done in the past. You definitely have a winner here! It compliments you other items very well. Keep up the good work, those of us in the Heli community do appreciate your efforts. I must add that nothing could be easier or quicker to use to lock the flybar in place. Thank you, and.... Fly safely! Almsy Mattoon, IL

11-29-2009, 08:04 PM	#28
Flying Foot Doc Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jupiter in Beautiful South Florida	Rick, Let me know when you get teh V2 tool done, I'll take one. I have tried all sorts of things to get teh head dialed in & it just keeps fightting me. Maybe this will help. Andy __________________ I can Flip it now!

11-29-2009, 08:51 PM	#30
caralmar Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Boynton Beach, FL	Hey Rick, I'm finally back to the land of the living out of the Thanksgiving bloated haze! I got my Sport head. Brand spanking new bud, still sealed in bags. I'll try to get it out to you tomorrow sometime! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Rush 700 * Trex 700N x 2 * Trex 600Pro * Gaui NX4 - V-Bar on all AMA #934662

11-29-2009, 09:19 PM	#32
caralmar Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Boynton Beach, FL	Yeah, I bought some servos from him a week ago! Hey, do you have a 220mm flybar and a swash leveler for the Sport/Pro? Do you need the swash leveler too? I have a TrueBlood leveler... but not sure if you need that for calibrating the head. Let me know and I'll throw it in the box too. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Rush 700 * Trex 700N x 2 * Trex 600Pro * Gaui NX4 - V-Bar on all AMA #934662

11-29-2009, 09:34 PM	#33
caralmar Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Boynton Beach, FL	Ignore my last post. I just sealed the box. Leveler and flybar are in there too... just in case. It was either finish packing it right now or at 6:45 tomorrow morning. And at that time of the morning, I could have mistakenly sent you a can of sardines instead of the rotor head! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Rush 700 * Trex 700N x 2 * Trex 600Pro * Gaui NX4 - V-Bar on all AMA #934662

11-29-2009, 10:11 PM	#34
rdlohr HF Support Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts	LOL. All are appreciated. Sardines are good too. Rick __________________ Helifreak, the place to be! Rush 750,Logo 400SE 600SE, TREX 450SE, 500, 600, Blade mCPX,130X My products, flown by top pilots around the world, like you! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-30-2009, 02:52 PM	#35
caralmar Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Boynton Beach, FL	Ok, just got back from the Post Office. Sardines in the mail! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Rush 700 * Trex 700N x 2 * Trex 600Pro * Gaui NX4 - V-Bar on all AMA #934662

12-03-2009, 08:02 PM	#37
rdlohr HF Support Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts	Thanks to dougb and caralmar, we know have a TREX 450 Sport Flybar Lock. Dougb filed me an initial rough idea and caralmar sent me his Sport head so I could perfect it. Came out pretty sweet if I do say so myself. How does it look? Rick __________________ Helifreak, the place to be! Rush 750,Logo 400SE 600SE, TREX 450SE, 500, 600, Blade mCPX,130X My products, flown by top pilots around the world, like you! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-03-2009, 09:57 PM	#38
rdlohr HF Support Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts	Freebie: TREX 450 Sport Flybar Lock Freebies to the first two people that PM me with your shipping name and address. In return, simply post pictures showing you get full range of motion with your flybar lock in place. I made the locks with a raw head and I'm pretty sure I accounted for all the motion but this will verify it for me. Thanks Rick __________________ Helifreak, the place to be! Rush 750,Logo 400SE 600SE, TREX 450SE, 500, 600, Blade mCPX,130X My products, flown by top pilots around the world, like you! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-03-2009, 10:16 PM	#39
Andyzboy Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Santa Maria, CA	Wait, would this work on a v2? Disregard my pm if it wont, thanks! __________________ Andy Cardinal Compass Models Gens Ace/Hobbypartz 7HV, Warp 360

12-03-2009, 10:18 PM	#40
eclipso104 Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tucson,Az.	wow that is neat.. I will take one

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