Buttery Smooth Tail Grips

[RyanW]

If you have the plastic Mikado tail grips (all models except 700 and 800), I have found an additional step to make them buttery smooth.

I assume most of you sand the parting line off of the control ball... if you don't, you should! I use 1000 to 2000 grit sandpaper and lightly knock the plastic flashing off. Not too much, you don't want to flat spot them.

The next step is to use a product I have come to love. DryFluids. If you haven't checked it out, please do so. The formula really works and replaces traditional oils and greases. I am using the DryFluid Heli Extreme on bearings, tail control rod (where it goes through the guide), mainshaft and tail output shaft. I am using the DryFluid Extreme Gear Lube on the gears.

As I was working the system back and forth (I do this before connecting the servo to make sure I have no friction) I noticed the tail grips were not perfectly smooth in reference to the pitch slider links. I know from experience and having many Logo helicopters that this smooths out over time, but I thought "hey, this Heli Extreme is for things that glide against something else, so why not try it on a plastic ball inside of a plastic link". Well friends, it worked beautifully. Shake the bottle, one drop on each side and it drys into this thin film and it is BUTTERY SMOOTH!!!

[Chep]

Grieat tip, Ryan. I'm building my 550SX and the tail grips have been giving me a little hard time. Thanks!

[3D Dave]

Thanks for the tip Ryan.

I'll have to try that lube next time I service my machines or do a tail rebuild.

[Dsss]

Hello Ryan ,where are you getting that lube from? I'm guessing it goes on wet the dries. I have a similar lube for bike chains.

[Dennis Everett]

sure rc sells some that's similar to that one , about 7.00 for a pretty big bottle ..

[ccpecot]

For us on the east coast, Helidirect sells it:
http://www.helidirect.com/dryfluid-e...ml-p-34411.hdx

[Freeskiken]

Thanks for the tip. I have both types. Will it work good on metal helical gears on the front and tail. I don't really want to use grease.

[RyanW]

Originally Posted by Freeskiken

Thanks for the tip. I have both types. Will it work good on metal helical gears on the front and tail. I don't really want to use grease.

For gears, I would use the Extreme Gear Lube... which dries as a film on the gears. No mess.

[OverTemp]

Hopefully it doesn't slide right off the ball!

(Kidding)