Getting started... ( All done! )

[mkovalcson]

I still have parts on the way, but I had to start fitting parts together.
The belt is soaking in silicone right now.

Next step = cut the shaft on the 650-103.

[janol]

looking good, I just did the counter bearing on my 600se, guess I need to pull the motor and cut the shaft as well

[mkovalcson]

I just brushed Dry Fluid Gear on the main gear. I just gave the belt a second coat of silicone and left it to soak a bag.

I needed a new tool!!! Ordered a 1.0mm snap ring plier set for the main shaft.
Also couldn't find my 5 minute epoxy so I ordered some more.

I'm borrowing a shim from my TDR for the 6mm pinion.

Everything is assembled that I can until the servo rubber blocks and pinion get here.

[mkovalcson]

Maybe I could have rounded off the end of the shaft a bit cleaner, but I think the length should be good. The shaft certainly won't be touching the batteries.

[trickybit]

Good lookin' fun, Mark!

A couple of questions:
- where did you order servo rubber blocks? I lost one of my Futaba ones, replacing with some similar JRs.

- Figure out your anti-static wiring yet? I terminated mine on the counterbearing assembly. Good thing to do before assembling the two halves, maybe.

- Did you sand the frame edges? It's a good idea (esp. around the side servos, where you will probably run wire. It's also very satisfying... it goes quickly and you can really feel the difference.

- I did the same thing to mark my MIP wrenches w/ shrink wrap.

- How much you loving that tray? It looks cool but a little constrained. I wonder if you'll need to take it off the desk when your assembly gets larger, with tail boom etc. I'm all about towels...

- What's up with the scotch tape?

Enjoy the build! Looks sunny outside...

[mkovalcson]

It's sunny here too! My wife and I just got back from about 2 hours of hiking.

The heli workmat works great. I use it with all my helis to hold bolts and things in place. It doesn't matter if the tail ends up off the mat. When I'm done I just clean it off and put a bath mat over it so my cats can sit up in the window.

I haven't sanded the body yet.

The scotch tape is double sided. I heard RyanW mention using some double sided tape with the tail to make sure it didn't slip.

I ordered a Mikado antistatic kit, but I may rework it when it gets here. It looks a bit ugly to me.

I ordered the solid servo rubber from FastLad.
http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/futa...60-p-6052.html

[CACN]

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

I ordered the solid servo rubber from FastLad.
http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/futa...60-p-6052.html

Next time you can order from experience RC. These are the same.

http://www.experiencerc.com/store/fu...46-p-5464.html

Have you tried using the Dry Fluid on the main thrust bearing? I wonder if it will stick better than the grease.

[mkovalcson]

Originally Posted by CACN

Next time you can order from experience RC. These are the same.

http://www.experiencerc.com/store/fu...46-p-5464.html

Have you tried using the Dry Fluid on the main thrust bearing? I wonder if it will stick better than the grease.

So far I've only used the Dry Fluid "Gear Lube" on the gears and the "Heli Lube" on the pitch slider and swash.

I've not used it in place of bearing grease.

[mkovalcson]

Does anyone have a link for nylon bolts that I can use to attach the landing gear?


I just ordered 17 M3-10 Nylon bolts through Amazon for about $3 , but it has been suggested that I probably should stick with stock bolts so I don't lose the landing gear unintentionally.

[mkovalcson]

I have an Angry Bird canopy on my Forza 450 and it has GREAT visibility.

So I looked at the Angry Bird canopy for my 550SX and I think the canopy shape works really well with this design!

It has a nice angry angular look to it that is absent on my Forza's rounder canopy.

So I have this to look forward to in a couple months...

I guess I should stop complaining about how horribly ugly the dino look canopies are since I am still buying a canopy for my 550SX
which has a perfectly good looking canopy in the box.

[trickybit]

Mark, if you haven't done it yet, it really helps to install elevator and tail servos before you join the frame halves together.

Esp. if you want to slip in a washer or nut or something on the elevator servo.

[mkovalcson]

Originally Posted by trickybit

Mark, if you haven't done it yet, it really helps to install elevator and tail servos before you join the frame halves together.

Esp. if you want to slip in a washer or nut or something on the elevator servo.

I'm still waiting for my 11T Mod 1 pinion and other things before I get that far.

But I won't put the halves together until I've installed everything that can be installed without the halfs together.

[mkovalcson]

I know that we are genetically wired to look for faces in things.

I wonder if this may be part of the reason that seeing Angry Bird canopies is so easy. The bright colors definitely help, but I wonder if the eyebrows, eyes and mouth help too.

[trickybit]

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

I know that we are genetically wired to look for faces in things.

I wonder if this may be part of the reason that seeing Angry Bird canopies is so easy. The bright colors definitely help, but I wonder if the eyebrows, eyes and mouth help too.

Oh, jeez, I hope not!

Could be, though...

[Raptorapture]

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

I have an Angry Bird canopy on my Forza 450 and it has GREAT visibility.

So I looked at the Angry Bird canopy for my 550SX and I think the canopy shape works really well with this design!

It has a nice angry angular look to it that is absent on my Forza's rounder canopy.

So I have this to look forward to in a couple months...

I guess I should stop complaining about how horribly ugly the dino look canopies are since I am still buying a canopy for my 550SX
which has a perfectly good looking canopy in the box.

The Angry Bird looks really cool on that canopy! Nicely matches the tail as well

[mkovalcson]

Originally Posted by CACN

Next time you can order from experience RC. These are the same.

http://www.experiencerc.com/store/fu...46-p-5464.html

I don't think these are the same. The blocks I ordered are single blocks that cover both holes on each side. Rather than 4 pieces per servo, the ones I ordered are only 2 pieces per servo.

[trickybit]

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

I don't think these are the same. The blocks I ordered are single blocks that cover both holes on each side. Rather than 4 pieces per servo, the ones I ordered are only 2 pieces per servo.

It's funny; I lost one of those in recent crash (yeah, bad crash!) and I bought the singles to replace. Then at the last minute I found a stash of the good ones, with grommets, that had come with my fleet of BLS 251 tail servos I have here and there...

[mkovalcson]

I don't know why but the scale of these little snap ring plyers makes them seem cute.
I got these on Amazon. 4 of them total, two pull and two push, two are straight and two are angled like below.

Including the lock ring these are shorter than my index finger

[el guapo]

I've had a few frames that didn't snap together well. so I make sure they can snap together before I load all the stuff on them. they are always easier to snap them together the second time.

[CACN]

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

I don't think these are the same. The blocks I ordered are single blocks that cover both holes on each side. Rather than 4 pieces per servo, the ones I ordered are only 2 pieces per servo.

You are right. There are 2-piece and 4-piece per servo. I have used both styles and they work the same. Futaba recommends parts number FUTM2346 when replacing grommets.