First crash. Need help with parts to buy..

[Hunders]

Hi guys.

I had my first crash today and on first inspection it seems like I have mangled the whole top of the head area(blade grip area), servo gears and the main shaft. I'm not really that annoyed that I have to repair it, in fact I am looking forward to it because I will gain some knowledge on the mechanical side of things and I will be able to set it up perfectly. Its a bit of a bummer that I can't fly her in the mean time, though.

I am just making a little list of replacement parts to buy and was wandering if anyone had any advice as to alternative parts that I should look into. For instance am I right in saying that T-Rex 450 blades are regarded as a better replacement to the standard items?

Also, would I need to purchase some sort of oil to use on the ball joints and various other items and where could I find this?

I am obviously going to need some tool to hook/unhook ball links. Is it worthwhile buying a pair of ball link pliers or is there anything else that can be used that is cheaper?

If anyone else can recommend anything else that I should look into buying then please, go ahead.

Cheers

[moonmanflyer]

Ball link pliers are a must, you could do even more damage by trying to force parts apart.
You don't say what heli you have by the align blades are good for the price.
Also if you haven't got any buy yourself a quality set of screwdrivers and modeling hex drives, you will be needing them

[Grant85]

http://www.modelshopleeds.co.uk/cata...36451ca55e8478
Here is a cheap set of ball link pliers because this is something you will definately need so you dont damage any of the ball links by trying to just pull them off like i have found out before lol! hope this helps mate.Cheers Grant

[Grant85]

If you want a better set of ball link pliers they come in a kit here,I have the exact same one and fort it was good value and serves me well
http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/full...on-p-3638.html
Or you could just post a WANTED thread on here and see if anybody wants to sell you some tools they dont want.But a good set of tools is something that you will definately need mate.Chhers Grant

[163phil]

Also, would I need to purchase some sort of oil to use on the ball joints and various other items and where could I find this?

Hi Hunders

Don't oil your ball joints mate, they run dry!
For bearings and shafts I use this: http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/robb...al-p-1914.html

A little silicone grease, or even Mr Sheen is good for tailbelts

Your poor old heli will always look abit sad after a crash, but once you go into the spares required it is usually not as bad as it looks. You will almost certainly have bent the feathering shaft, so that will be worth checking. Simply remove one blade and insert a spanner/hex driver into the shaft nut head and turn. If the remaining blade tip moves then the shaft is bent and will need replacing. Check the mainshaft by removing the head and slowly running the motor, which will show up any distortion in the shaft.

Have fun with the rebuild

[cambs flyer]

Firstly purchase yourself the needed tools, Ball Link Pliers, general good quality normal & cutting pliers, the Align Hex set is a real must, plus buy the Align screwdriver/1.5mm hex combo, as you'll need two 1.5mm hex tools to remove the feathering shaft and replacement.

http://www.themodelhelistore.com/too...set-hz024.html

http://www.themodelhelistore.com/too...set-hz041.html

http://www.themodelhelistore.com/too...s-k10338a.html

You'll need one of these to remove the one way bearing as I'd guess your main shaft's a bit on the wonk after your crash

http://www.themodelhelistore.com/too...r-k10273a.html

I always use the Align 315 Pro blades without any problem, they make my 450 fly more aggressively but that's how I like it.

Replace as & when you can with genuine Align Alloy head parts & blade grips, plus the feel is so much more precise when flying with the alloy upgraded parts rather then the plastic standard parts.

You do fly the 450 BTW? as for grease Tri-Flow with added Teflon is the best lub' you can purchase, but furniture polish is fine for tail belts.

Best of luck, even if you fly another machine the tools mentioned will still be useful.

[HeliNoobie]

Ouch , i know how it feels my GL's been repaired twice now and i bet its coming many more times

[Hunders]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have a decent amount of tools around the place already but I will definitely stock up on what I don't have. The damage to the heli isn't too bad at all really, £25-£30 of spares needed maybe..

I forgot to mention that I have a Blade 400. I was supposed to put this in the B400 section :/

[heliTV]

Ahhh now if you'd said it was a B400...(!)

The comments about tools are very valid - the tools that come with the heli will get you by (except for ball link pliers), but good tools will last a lifetime and make the job much easier. A good screwdriver and a couple of proper allen key drivers are all I need to take my B400 apart.

If you haven't had it apart before, take loads of photos so you know how it all goes back. I was intimidated by it at first but it's pretty straightforward if you take your time. I always put an old towel down on the table I'm working on so if I drop a screw, it doesn't bounce!

If you're stuck on which parts to get, post a few photos, but the usual culprits are:-

main shaft
feathering shaft
blades
servo gears

Strangely, unlike cars (don't ask how I know!), when the bits are replaced, the heli is as good as new!!

If you get stuck, post your questions and we'll all try to help.

In the meantime, take a look at :-

The Blade 400 Bible - http://www.slyster.com/heli/
Rebuild videos - http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=474083

BTW, welcome to the forum!!

All the best

[Hunders]

Thanks heliTV, taking photos is a great idea for a newb and thanks for those videos, I have seen ones by sokal and Finless Bob but not those ones.

I made a list of all the things that need replacing which is as follows:

Main blade grips
Feathering shaft
Flybar
Main shaft
Main blades
O-Rings
Servo gears x2
Head block (The head itself is fine, but the bolt that goes through it sheared in two!)
Tail blades (They're a bit chipped on the forward edges so I might as well replace)

Along with the above I am also going to buy:

The toolkit that Grant85 linked to
The two piece screwdriver and one way ball bearing remover that cambs flyer linked to
and some Robbe metal on metal oil that 163phil suggested

Can any sort of grease be used for the servo or does it have to be Lithium grease? I have some normal grease that I use on various stuff like for wheel nuts on my car that I was wondering if it is fine to use?

Cheers.

[adamwantstodoaeros]

Hi Hunders,

I got a just blade 400 as my first heli - crashed it on my third flight

But theres this great site about repairing the blade 400:
http://www.repairblade400.com/

credit has to go to the great people on RC Heli Addicts who pointed me to this site - it saved me sooooo much time!

[Hunders]

Thanks for the link dude.

I have already completed most of the repair and it was fairly straightforward but that site would have made it easier for sure. Thanks, I have bookmarked it.

I just need to sort the servo gears out but I need to get some lithium grease before hand.

Cheers.

[Hunders]

Just thought that I'd say that I have pretty much finished the rebuild today. I just have to balance the blades and everything is good to go! I have been using Sokal's head setup videos on youtube and everything is set up perfectly. Well... it's not mechanically perfect because I had to use some sub trim to set the servos at 90 degrees at half stick because the teeth on the servo wouldn't let the arm line up perfectly.

It's been quite good fun rebuilding it, actually. I have always liked fiddly, hands on things like this. I wish I had the tools when I first bought it so I could see what setup was like out of the box to how it is now.

Cheers.