Progress Report

[copterboy]

I just spoke to the LHS about main blades, as I'm not happy going back to the woodies, not even for a few weeks. They just don't give enough pop for my liking. They have some cosmetic seconds for £10, and the align blades I like on special offer for £13 I think you can see where this is going. Would pay FL's £20 to be delivered, and have to wait and miss the club tomorrow. Think I feel a little road trip coming on

Have managed to improve the tail again. Turns out the new output shaft required shimming again. I also took the time to ream the stiff ball on the tail control push rod. Made a scored ball, as recommended by Tom, and fixed it to an old V2 metal tail blade grip. Makes it easy for spinning once inserted into the plastic link. Works a treat

I also took the time to look at the lower main gear, as I was convinced there was a heap of vibration from a warped lower main gear. Removed the old one to put it on my flat workbench surface. Now it is hard to check exactly, as the surface of the lower gear is not totally flat. It has an embossed ALIGN logo and part number, but it was good enough to eyeball it and confirm the existing one was indeed warped. I found 2 old one's in my V2 spares box, so I checked them, and found one to still be good. So I have swapped that and it is much improved, although not perfect.

Inspecting the old gears, I noticed the warp seems to appear in exactly the same section of the gear. That is, between the 2 spokes that go either side of the housing for the jesus bolt. Not the screw entry side of the gear, but the other side that has the moulding for the nut. Is it me or is it conicidence? I suspect I may have tightened the jesus bolt to much, which is pinching the centre hub, and in turn, deforming the spokes in that section of gear. So I have just been very careful to tighten it this time. Hopefully to the point it is tight enough, but not overtightened a warping. And made sure it gets some locktite too!

Time for a look at the 600 head!!

Edit : Alomost for got to mention, swapping the main shaft yesterday, I noticed the shims supplied with the new one's. I checked the manual, and it appears there should be one installed, with an option for a second one. I didn't have any installed!! Hoping this might be the problem that is causing my headspeed to sound higher when inverted. Or, why something may have been binding when right way round. Can't wait to get back to the field for another go!!