3d plus parts

[quinn]

I've really been wanting a 3d plus as a first nitro but I'm concerned about parts. I'm thinking I might put a 6hvu head and tail on it so that takes care of those parts. Also I work in a cabinet shop with a cnc so I can make any of the carbon fiber parts. What else is gonna be difficult to find that can't be borrowed from a 6hv? I'm guessing its not very common to break the bellcranks for the servos in crashes. I also know a machinist that could make some basic parts. I think I remember someone saying the clutch assembly is hard to find. Did anyone find something from a different heli that will work for this? I was thinking maybe something from a synergy could work paired with the 6hvu helical since they have the same profile. I've never built a nitro so I'm not sure what's involved with getting things to pair together between the motor mount/motor/clutch/main gear.

[Raz0rSh4rp]

My 3D+ is still in its box because I haven't gotten together everything to finish it yet, but as far as I know the clutch is the killer. If you could get some thing like an N5C or N7 clutch to work that would be pretty cool. Please update me if you take this project on.

[quinn]

I'll let you know if I order one. I'm curious if hobbyhanger is updating their stock number. I thought they only had 3 before you got one? Still says 3 in stock

[Rob43]

It's all so different on the 3D+, I can't see very many things that will cross over. Clutches have been unavailable ever since the model was discontinued. I too wanted to build this excellent model. Once again, no parts. Oh, the skids are still made - they are now used for the 6HVU, at least that was the package label when I received a set last winter. No deice on pinions and main gears to my knowledge. Boom is smaller diameter than 6HVU. Maybe 6HV will work there. Then there is the starter shaft and coupler and their bearings and block. Those are wear items, that I doubt will be available.

[skunkworx]

Clutch and frames are the only two items I know of in short supply, which I'm working on both. The clutch is actually the hardest thing to make and it wasnt as durable as the Knight clutch, but I definitely aim to improve on it.The frames are planned to include the new provision for the 6HVU tail assembly (boom, block, belt, tail box) as well as the regular 6HV/Knight/3D+ tail design if possible. Its a slow process but I've been grounding through it little by little and hopefully we can all reap the rewards of breathing life back into this awesome machine!!!

[quinn]

That's great! We are all counting on you. I still want the 3d plus to be my first nitro. I'm not too concerned about frames. First thing I will do if I buy the kit is make a template of the frames. I can just trace the outside and chase through all the holes with a drill press then cut copies out of carbon when needed. I have a CNC at work but I'm thinking it would be more work if there's not already a PDF available.

Out of curiosity, how long will the clutch last? If I can get a few hundred flights out of it, I might just grab a kit without worrying about the clutch for now. I have absolutely 0 experience with nitro. Will a single hot start kill the clutch?

[Raz0rSh4rp]

I've been meaning to draw the frames up in autocad for awhile but I've been lazy

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[skunkworx]

Hit starts can break them, yes. But so far none of mine have broken on me (knock on wood!). They should last a long time, but that was part of the plan in the redesign was to make ybema little more robust. Its been a bit since I heard back from that shop so I may try elsewhere. I'd thought if doing a 3D printed version first to check tolerances, but I figure if I can get a working model going then I can work on a final material to make them out of and get a few tested in the machine. Summer is running out so I might have more time for 'projects' soon and hopefully I can get to a resolution on the clutches. Sorry for the wait if anyone has been following the progress.

[trillian]

Just curious, as I haven't had a 3D plus to compare with, what is it in the dimensions or frame layout that prevents something more generic like a Raptor clutch/fan/pinion being used instead ?

It would seem like if the 3D plus clutch is the big sticking point to just use an entirely different stack. The differences are going to be in the fan dimensions and the overall height but I would think those things could be overcome. At the end of the day what you want is a hub with a fan and clutch terminating in a 10 tooth pinion at the top which fits into a bearing.

[quinn]

I was thinking the same thing. Shouldn't be that hard as long as the assembly puts the pinion at the right height. I think some guys were just trying to find a clutch that would fit which is probably much more difficult.

[skunkworx]

The 3D+ stack was changes pretty drastically from the Knight 3D (which could borrow parts off a Raptor, coincidentally). I'm sure they had their reasons for wanting to use a different setup but it sucks that it ended up being the pitfall of the model.

If I were more versed at the CAD programming I'm sure setting up the frames to accommodate something like an Align or Synergy clutch would work (or even revert back to the K3D/Raptor style since it was a really durable setup).

Now that winter is on its way I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to dedicate to tweaking the design. I still haven't heard back from the CNC shop I was hoping to work with so maybe I'll have to look elsewhere.

[trillian]

Originally Posted by skunkworx

The 3D+ stack was changes pretty drastically from the Knight 3D (which could borrow parts off a Raptor, coincidentally). I'm sure they had their reasons for wanting to use a different setup but it sucks that it ended up being the pitfall of the model.

If I were more versed at the CAD programming I'm sure setting up the frames to accommodate something like an Align or Synergy clutch would work (or even revert back to the K3D/Raptor style since it was a really durable setup).

Now that winter is on its way I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to dedicate to tweaking the design. I still haven't heard back from the CNC shop I was hoping to work with so maybe I'll have to look elsewhere.

Yeah, I haven't had the benefit of being able to see first hand what the differences are. My thought it just in the direction of going with what I know, which is that things like engine mounts can be fabricated without too much difficulty but a clutch is a tricky thing.

I am playing around at the moment with a custom frameset on a Hirobo SDX and it got me wondering what it takes to cut this G10 sheet material, so I am casually looking into this sort of thing. I have had lots of little ali parts made cheaply for other heli projects.

[skunkworx]

A home CNC router can cut G10, no problem. I had a buddy in Arizona that bought one of those inexpensive ones and kept it in his garage. He got into the FPV stuff and started churning out his own frame pieces and doublers. You can cut carbon fiber too, but unfortunately it wears on the tooling a lot more and the material itself is quite pricey on its own.

Aluminum is fairly easy to machine, but if you get into the better stuff it will take different tooling or will wear quicker. I've considered going to school for it, but I think I need to focus more on electronics before branching out.

[Rob43]

They sure didn't support the model long after producing it. I wanted one in the worst way.

Wonder if John has any clutches left over in Australia?

[skunkworx]

Well, technically speaking they support everything else it seems, just not the clutch, canopy, and frame sets. Everything else is basically shared with the the 6HV or they have plenty of parts left in stock so they should be viable again if we get these parts taken care of. The canopies are already produced my Fusuno, but it might have to be a factory order to get them in. Maybe see about sticking a 6HVU lid on it if the + canos aren't a possibility. Just an idea anyway.

[Rob43]

I bet Fusuno would make one like the factory color scheme...oddly enough. I'd have the Odin V2 canopy scheme done if I were doing one up. The yellow and red was cool, IMO. I have an Odin V2 FB ship (actually 2 of them). Maybe ones the Chronos comes out, I can snag a 7HV FBL head for the project. Then, once I acquire my YS 91SRX, I can move my YS 91sr to the Odin.

I guess you're correct, Tim, they provide many of the items, but mostly due to 6HV...and I bet it's not long either.

[quinn]

i recently met a retired guy while out flying that has his own machine shop. hes bored and always looking for projects. im helping him setup his first 700 and he said he would be happy to help me out on some machining projects. might be worth looking into for making some clutches.

[skunkworx]

Well, if he wants the step file and drawing I'd be happy to share and he can experiment as desired. I could care less who gets one made as long as it works and it can be reproduced.

[Ah Clem]

Rob,

Did you ever try a 7HV head on your Odin II?

It makes for a really great flying helicopter!

[Rob43]

No, I didn't RAK. I decided against building it out due to parts. It was more cost effective for me to simply buy an Align 700N aiframe. Such an aftermarket for them, and plenty of parts.

Some day, I might do it for the kicks, but I don't have all the parts to complete one.

Now I find I actually have more fun flying 50 class nitro, anyhow. Have a TT X50, but they too are now discontinued, although parts are still available. And, although the TSA and Synergy 50's are very nice, they are very heavy. I think this was another attribute of the 3D+ - it was light. So, that almost leaves me back to Align again.

It still bums me that Compass couldn't stay in this segment of the market.