Questions on blade balancing & pitch gauge? + any other tools I should consider?

[Tony Brazao]

I've seen a few posts mention blade balancing. I am still at that stage where I crash a lot.

When should I concern myself with blade balancing and what is the best way to balance them (tools/methods)?

I'm also interested to learn more about pitch gauges and how to correctly use them and, are they needed?

I've got hardly any heli tools. What type of tools (or tool sets) are there and where is a good place to buy a tool set/box with a selection of handy tools aimed at RC heli people?

Any other handy information that may help improve my knowledge is welcomed, so feel free to offer any tips/hints

Many thanks,

Tony

[StreetDragster]

I've found ball link pliers, hex screw drivers, and pitch gauges essential, blade balancers, mini spirit levels and swash levelers, are good to have too.

If you look on helifreak in finless bobs tech section, the stickies at the top have links to videos to show you how to do alot of stuff including blade balancing

Thanks

Matt

[Paulo uk]

Hi, I'll attempt to help:

I personally only use half decent carbon fibre blades and although I check each new pair I buy, I generally find them to be well balanced straight out of the box, but you should always check. If you take a lump out of a blade and it looks repairable, you can use your balancer there to re-balance.

A pitch guage is essential, when you set your heli up - especially for 3d - you will need to measure your maximum throws for both positive and negative pitch. It will also come in useful for dialling out pitch for normal flight etc.. Unless you have an amazing talent for judging angles by eye, you will definitely need one.

As far as tools go, I would recommend a hex-driver set, screwdriver set, plier set with side cutters and needle nose and ball-link pliers. Also I would say that whatever tools you get, don't be tempted by the cheap all in one sets, they are not as nice to use and are generally poor quality, which makes building or repairing your models a PITA.

HTH,


Paul

[POLAR BEAR]

I,ve got a blade balancer but dont use it ! I just buy carbon blades and slap them straight on. Even most cheap grp blades are good too go.
Kev.

[MartinH]

Was just going to post a thread about this lol, I need to get a pitch gauge, could some one please recommend one asap as im going to do a bit of an order tomorow which will include mSR parts and 450 stuff so need a pitch gauge .

Preferbly one from FL as im ordering my stuff from there anyways.

[Mart61]

The Align gauge here will do the 450, 500, 600 and 700 too. It's what I'm using.

[MartinH]

I knew youd come in here and answer for me mart mate.
Cheers for the link.

[jamesb72]

I use a cheap HK pitch gauge - a couple of quid delivered off ebay, and works great - see ebay item 270501284260 thats the kind I have, and its fine for anything up to a 600 I would say.

For blade balancing, the best way I believe is with 0.01g scales, these are about £6 delivered again off ebay, see item 110479577107 - I have the exact same scales and they work brilliantly - balance blades on a ruler to check CofG, then tape the lighter blade to same weight within 0.02g and your good to go.

I'm sure people manage to setup heli's without scales and a pitch gauge, but they make it so much easier, and cost so little it seems crazy not to just get the right stuff.

[Mart61]

I use a cheap HK pitch gauge - a couple of quid delivered off ebay, and works great - see ebay item 270501284260 thats the kind I have, and its fine for anything up to a 600 I would say.

They certainly do the trick for the 450 and 500. I got one of these free from Grant as I recall. However they won't do the 600 and 700. I even cut off the stops on the slider and still it wouldn't take the blade. It fouled height-wise as I recall.

Still, for a 450 they will do the job.

To balance blades for free, check Finless Bob's video here.

[MartinH]

From hong kong, can I expect high charges from import tax etc.

[Planehazza]

I have a micro heli pitch guage that I no longer need as I bought one that ranges from 450 to 700 sized blades.

It worked perfectly for my 450 and at a guess it will probably do 500 sized blades.

Its yours for the cost of post (about £1) probably if it's any good to you bud

From hong kong, can I expect high charges from import tax etc.

I think most get away with from HK, it's usually from the US when you get stung.

[MartinH]

I have a micro heli pitch guage that I no longer need as I bought one that ranges from 450 to 700 sized blades.

It worked perfectly for my 450 and at a guess it will probably do 500 sized blades.

Its yours for the cost of post (about £1) probably if it's any good to you bud



I think most get away with from HK, it's usually from the US when you get stung.

SOLD .
Pm sent.

[Buddha1584]

+1 on the Align pitch gauge. I had been using an Anderson type, think that is what they are called its the one with a weight hanging down and when I switched to the Align one I found that the settings on my HoneyBee were all over the place.

Cheers Chris.

[Tony Brazao]

To balance blades for free, check Finless Bob's video here.

Superb video thank you

[Mart61]

Superb video thank you

No worries Tony. Whilst I got a blade balancer for Xmas, I've used the video method for three builds.