450 blades

[petern]

Guys this may seem like a silly question but I ask because I just simply do not know,
Right i got some new 450 blades and went to fit them last night only the end that fits into the head clamps is just to fat, I dont want to (and know i shouldnt) strech the head clamps to get them in so do i just sand down the fat end until its snug? I took carbon fibre blades of and they fit great but the new ones are just to fat! (they are correct 450 blades)

Tips on fitting new blades would be very much welcome.

[marktigere1]

If you have the 325 Pro Blades from Align then they are a snug fit.

You can sand them down lightly to make them fit.

[andylinney]

the v2 is plenty snug on the head grips anyway - just ease the blades in and tighten as normal.

[petern]

ok i changed the blades and now the heli is really unstable! I think iv broke it help!

[cambs flyer]

You always find the alloy blade grips are very much tighter then the plastic grips.

They have to be tight as you'll Rip the thread off the screw and lock nut before you pinch the alloy grips, where as the plastic grips bend when tightened.

Don't worry too much mate, like Mark said use the 325 pro blades, the best ones are the black & white blades as the end half which is white offers good orientation low to ground, and when high the total black coating on the underside offers good orientation against a bright sunny/cloudy sky.

Plus there only £9 a pair, I also found the Carbon Align Paddles £10, (black with align written in gold) add better control to the plastic ones I originally had.

Good luck mate.

[marktigere1]

ok i changed the blades and now the heli is really unstable! I think iv broke it help!

If it flew okay before you may have done the blade grips up too tight and the blades can no longer find their lead and lag positions. (Why Heli's shake at spool up)

Just loosen them off a tad and try again. Don't overdo it as they then may wrap themselves around the mast.

Rule of thumb is when held side ways the blades won't drop under their own weight but will if bounced gently.

I do it by feel. (Ohh err!!)

Cheers

Mark

[Aidi]

ok i changed the blades and now the heli is really unstable! I think iv broke it help!

If the vibrartion is caused by the new blades, possibility is that they are unbalanced or the Center of Gravity is different.

Do a quick search though the forums and there is plenty of advice on how to corretly balance the blades. I had the same effect after fitting new blades on my 400. Balanced them up and vibration has now gone.


rgds
Aidi

[moyesboy]

The align pro woods are the tightest in the grips I found.
howeverI recently flew a 450 with those and despite their "never mind me crying" fit, they still centred at a decent flying head speed.

The aloy grips will still easily distort to clamp a loose blade with the m3 grip bolts.

Either your blades are out of balance, or they are too tight in the grips, or you need more head speed.

Or on the crash that led to you changing the blades the feathing spindle or main shaft got bent.

[petern]

it turns out you where all right, the blades where to tight and the shaft was bent, took it to my hobby shop and the guy slapped me on the wrist and sent me home with loose blades and a new shaft. iv now fitted both and im now a little bit wiser, i got some cheep blades from hong kong and they really are bad blades, (£5 for 4...go figgure)

Anyway as i said i changed the blades and they now still vibrate a little but nowhere near as bad. I think I just need to balance them, the hobby shop guy told me to remove the top part of the head and rest the flybar in between 2 upright books and in doing that i wont need a blade balancer (i havent got one) so i will give it a try.

God I hope this works!

oh and while i was there i got some bling Blue bump skids, Nice white align blades with cool little black stripes and a few crash bits like feathering shafts and main shafts (no more risks for me guys i change nothing now without advice! I thought (being a man) that i could fix it without help SO WRONG!

Another lesson learnt in the world of newbe flying!

[petern]

ok i did a bit of reserch on blade balancing and i just need a little input on what i use to bring the lighter blade to the same weight as the heavy one. one site says use tape and another says use film? but they dont say what sort of tape or what sort of film and where on the blade to put it?

So my question....what do i use as ballest?

[stevie d]

mine were slightly out so used a bit of insulation tape, seems to work ok.

[machasm]

You can buy special 'balancing' tape but TBH any heavyish (insulation) tape will do.
Just remember to apply it evenly over the leading edge of the lighter blade on its C of G.
Adrian.

[petern]

thanks for all the advice guys, all blades are now balanced and I tested all of them on the heli and its now fine, no vibrating in it, Oh and erm i had a bit of a mishap (me being forgetful) I managed to get my thumb and index finger in the blades while the power was on.......dont ask! my hand is quite a mess and needless to say I wont be picking my nose for a while!! I hate being a noob....It can really hurt sometimes

[petern]

P.S dont panic only I got hurt the heli is fine!

[machasm]

I hope you are not too hurt.
There should be a strict safety procedure that you should be adhering to with each flying session which goes something like this.
1) Check all control linkages on heli for correct operation (links popped off/broken.Screws loose etc).
2) Use frequency peg board and ensure no-one else is on the same frequency if using 35Mhz.
3) Switch on TX and ensure correct model selected.
4) Ensure TX settings are at minimum (throttle and in norm not idle up)
5) Switch on RX whilst holding heli head firmly
6) Check controls work in correct orientation.
7) Start engine if nitro whilst holding heli head firmly.

All of this and more is covered in the BMFA handbook. I suggest you read it if you haven't already. It might help you to avoid further mishaps in the future.

After all that is said, I have had my fair share of hot starts (Just ask Mattie Lodge!)
Keep safe.
Adrian.