Making woodies fit the Sonix head - safe????

Darth Nigel · 03-12-2010, 09:18 AM

I installed my Sonix cnc head on my much-repaired Blade 400 last night. After getting all the fiddly bits aligned, I discovered that the woodie Eflite blades (EFLH1415A) don't fit; neither do the CFs.

However... if I take off the wee black plastic "shoulder" pieces, I can slide the wooden blades in.

Is this a good idea?
Are the shoulder pieces just to provide thickness or are they structural?
Am I in (more) danger of the woodie shearing at the mounting hole?

(I have seen TwistFish's link http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=198434 but didn't want to derail that thread)

Cailid · 03-12-2010, 09:53 AM

Never heard of anyone using the eflite blades without the plastic piece. I think you'd be better off using the align woodies. They're thinner than the eflite as well as better quality for the same price.

schoep · 03-12-2010, 12:29 PM

If you take the plastic off you should first up all of your insurance!

n6nev · 03-12-2010, 12:38 PM

http://www.xheli.com/60p-pro-3252.html
this works great for me

whoanelly · 03-12-2010, 12:42 PM

+1 any blade should work except the eflite woodies,,i wouldnt,,especially if you dont have a dental plan..

rowdyjoe · 03-12-2010, 12:47 PM

I had a very bad experience with plastic blades last year and haven't used them since. Evidently, there was a hairline crack at the blade grip bolt hole and it separated when the heli spooled up for flight. Both blades came off at high head speed. Fortunately, nobody was hurt but, it scared the #@$#$ out of me.
I've been buying fiberglass blades from eHirobo for approx. $6.50 a pair (plus shipping) and have had good luck with them. They will require balancing but, they are more durable and worth the money.

RJ

Tommygunn · 03-12-2010, 03:15 PM

Do not remove material from the blades. Major potential for structural failure.

I had the same issue with my cnc sonix grips. Even the Align 335 Pro woodies were tight. However, most CF blades fit perfectly. I don't bother with the Eflite woodies. Bad blades.

What I did was take a dremel to the grips and removed about .001 - .002" from each side of the grip. Measure it before and during the removal process and take only the minimum amount needed off equally. I have three sets of Sonix grips and two of the three needed this done. The third seems fine. Why? Dunno.

Darth Nigel · 03-12-2010, 08:12 PM

Thanks for all the input. I may be out the cost of some blades but it's probably cheaper than restorative dentistry.

Cheers
Nigel

03-12-2010, 09:18 AM	#1
Darth Nigel Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bonney Lake, WA	Making woodies fit the Sonix head - safe???? I installed my Sonix cnc head on my much-repaired Blade 400 last night. After getting all the fiddly bits aligned, I discovered that the woodie Eflite blades (EFLH1415A) don't fit; neither do the CFs. However... if I take off the wee black plastic "shoulder" pieces, I can slide the wooden blades in. Is this a good idea? Are the shoulder pieces just to provide thickness or are they structural? Am I in (more) danger of the woodie shearing at the mounting hole? (I have seen TwistFish's link http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=198434 but didn't want to derail that thread)

03-12-2010, 09:53 AM	#2
Cailid Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Abbotsford B.C.	Never heard of anyone using the eflite blades without the plastic piece. I think you'd be better off using the align woodies. They're thinner than the eflite as well as better quality for the same price. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. MCX, CX2, MSR Blade 400, 500ESP, 500CF

03-12-2010, 12:29 PM	#3
schoep Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maple fall Wa.	If you take the plastic off you should first up all of your insurance! __________________ CX2,MSR,,R/C weapons pod, Camera pod, Scale Hughes 500 W/Blade 400 mech, HK450, HK500CMT

03-12-2010, 12:38 PM	#4
n6nev Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Torrance Calif	blades for the Sonix head $3.62 pair http://www.xheli.com/60p-pro-3252.html this works great for me __________________ 1 HT FPV Quad ,naza, fatshark "You can always tell a pilot,but not much" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-12-2010, 12:42 PM	#5
whoanelly Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ca	+1 any blade should work except the eflite woodies,,i wouldnt,,especially if you dont have a dental plan.. __________________ 700LE : 105HZR AR7200BX JR8917 Multi gov , JR9503 600ESP : 100AMP Castle. Scorpion Motor . AMA #962896 400 Blade : Scorpion 2221-6 ,Castle ICE 50 Sonix Head and t Align 450 pro V2 3G MKS DS95 MSR , 2 x MCPX (brushless C05 & HP05), Blade 130X.

03-12-2010, 12:47 PM	#6
rowdyjoe Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, TX	I had a very bad experience with plastic blades last year and haven't used them since. Evidently, there was a hairline crack at the blade grip bolt hole and it separated when the heli spooled up for flight. Both blades came off at high head speed. Fortunately, nobody was hurt but, it scared the #@$#$ out of me. I've been buying fiberglass blades from eHirobo for approx. $6.50 a pair (plus shipping) and have had good luck with them. They will require balancing but, they are more durable and worth the money. RJ __________________ RJ

03-12-2010, 03:15 PM	#7
Tommygunn Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: May 2009 Location: OC, California	Do not remove material from the blades. Major potential for structural failure. I had the same issue with my cnc sonix grips. Even the Align 335 Pro woodies were tight. However, most CF blades fit perfectly. I don't bother with the Eflite woodies. Bad blades. What I did was take a dremel to the grips and removed about .001 - .002" from each side of the grip. Measure it before and during the removal process and take only the minimum amount needed off equally. I have three sets of Sonix grips and two of the three needed this done. The third seems fine. Why? Dunno. __________________ 550 Trex FBL, Beastx, Kontronix 100 Jive 500 Trex FBL, Beastx 450 Trex Sport All flown with my DX7

03-12-2010, 08:12 PM	#8
Darth Nigel Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bonney Lake, WA	Thanks for all the input. I may be out the cost of some blades but it's probably cheaper than restorative dentistry. Cheers Nigel

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