I love plastic blade grips

[jmcneil86043]

Today I was converting my 600SE from it's world distance record configuration back to 600 aerobatic aerobatics mode. I decided it was time to lube the blade grip bearings while it was apart. I realized that the bearings and grips are original and over 3 years old. They have survived many crashes, multiple 20-30km distance flights with 710mm blades, and occasionally bending the blade bolts by gaining too much head speed during the flair of an autorotation.

On very close inspection I can see that the inner bearing is a little loose in the plastic. So, I guess you can wear them out, but you can't kill them. The bearings felt fine, but I've never flown a set this long on any other large heli, so changed them too.

I love plastic blade grips, and wonder why people want to "upgrade"

John

PS, one more thing, the replacements cost a whipping $14 each, ha ha ha. I can't replace an aluminum 450 blade grip for that

[Varelco]

If it ain't broke don't try and fix it!

Can't fault them really, personally I've never heard of one failing either.

[B.Ewing]

The grips on my 400 have survived a handful of crashes. Matter of fact, I have never broken a single part on my head in 4-5 Crashes

[Psywarrior]

Don't know how they behave on an FBL head, but on the 450 3D, I was constantly snapping off the link arm from the blade grip. Looking at your picture, the design appears a lot stronger than the FB setup of the 450.

[meatbob]

Just more proof that you don't need aluminum bling in your head if the plastic is done right. I wonder what the difference in cost is to produce molded plastic main grips (the mold itself) versus machining them from aluminum billet.

[sgrim80]

My plastic blades grips never bend either LOL

[corrosionate]

I like plastic too. I think it flies smoother. My 3 best flying helis all have plastic blade grips. Could be a coincidence, but I have to think it has something to do with it.

The protos grips however, aren't quite as indestructible as the logo grips. I don't care though, they're light, cheap and fly great. They're pretty tough, but I still manage to twist the arms sometimes. They are smaller helis though, can't beef them up too much or it'll add unnecessary weight.

But Ive had probably 8 crashes on my logo grips and they're fine. Love em!

Plastic grips ftw!

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD

[Varelco]

The plastic absorbs vibrations better than aluminium which is probably why your heli seems smoother. This is probably why the XXtremes still have plastic tail grips.

[jmcneil86043]

I have a Protos and a Mini-Protos, you are right, their grips are easier to break, but at least you aren't ripping up servos in the process, and they are cheap to replace.

On the Logo 600, there are bolts holding the balls that bend, so the blade grip does't break

I alos lie that they don;t bend. They are either straight or broken, no need to worry about small bends and metal fatigue.

[Laughingstill]

MIKADO plastic is way different than any other heli's plastic. Everybody else I want metal…with Mikado, gimme da plastic!!!!

[maarset]

Originally Posted by Laughingstill

MIKADO plastic is way different than any other heli's plastic. Everybody else I want metal…with Mikado, gimme da plastic!!!!

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[HeliFX]

Plastic blades grip tend to act as a secondary damping system for the heli hence why some find it flies smoother. give the heli a slightly floaty feel.

the only thing is trying to find two blade holders which match in way of bending and flexing properties. For those that are very picky
most are very close