Swash leveling tool

[desertblade400]

I'm new to the 500 but have been flying the Blade 400 for the past year. All I know is the allen wrench method to level the swash. I just received a swash leveling tool and does it ever do the job. I'm impressed. Now I know for sure that my swash is dead-on accurate.

[Larry227]

Identical to the one I use. I love it.

I also just recently ordered the new clip on leveler from RDLohr. Still waiting to go pick it up at my PO Box. It works below the swash so you don't have to take the head off.

[Deet]

thats the one I have as well, i don't set any heli up without one anymore

[johansw]

Originally Posted by desertblade400

All I know is the allen wrench method to level the swash.

What is the allen wrench method?? Always nice to learne something new :-)

[DKS_ONE]

Originally Posted by johansw

What is the allen wrench method?? Always nice to learne something new :-)

You just strap an allen wrench to the main shaft with a tie strap and the bottom of the "L" sticking out toward the outer swash balls. Rotate the main shaft so the wrench is just over one swash ball. Rotate to the next ball and compare, if you have the wrench just touching or very close to each swash ball, it's level.

[johansw]

Very nice :-)
Tried it out with the strap only, cutting the long end to a suitable length - works fine - no need to dismantle the head!
Thanks!

[Deet]

the trouble with the allen key is you have to decide which servo to use as a reference, with the proper tool you drop it on and can see exactly where each servo is at, you may find only one needs adjustment, where you can't see that with the allen key

also with the swash level tool you can leave it on and take the pitch through its full range of motion and see any servo interactions

it also make levelling the swash at all three points (hi, mid and low stick) so much quicker and easier

[johansw]

Thanks, Deet. Some really good and valid arguments you have there, and this beeing a fairly inexpesive tool, I'm off to buy one

[Larry227]

I agree with Deet. It's a great tool that really simplifies a crucial part of setup.

[scwest]

Dave,

I use the metal-type swash leveling tool which I believe is the correct thickness for a level swash AND the correct swash height for mid-stick. I would rather use the lexan tool. Do you know how to position this tool vertically on the shaft to obtain the correct swash height?

Thanks,

scw

[Deet]

I don't use the tool that goes under the swash and also supposedly sets height. IMO I think the swash height is something that changes slightly between airframes, it changes due to several factors, including but not limited to, the type of servo, the servo arms and ball placement. Its a geometry thing, and getting the height of the swash right is critical for even head geometry.

Once the swash is level as long as you always change all three links by the same number of turns, the swash will stay level, so when playing with swash height I don't tend to use the swash level, maybe, just maybe as a double check after I'm done with the rest of the setup, but typically that would only be if there was a trim issue after a test flight

[scwest]

Thanks, Dave.

So I assume that you set the initial swash height per the link lengths specified in the manual and then adjust from there?

scw

[Deet]

NO

i set the initial height but reducing the link lengths by 5 full turns below the manual length and then go from there

If its the short main shaft for the ESP FBL head then its 8 full turns shorter

The manual is and always has been WRONG