Blade Covering.

[Bug]

I was flying my Raptor 50 today when it made a wierd noise and a bit of what looked like paper fell off it.
I immediatly landed the heli and when looking at it I could see that the plastic covering (aout 2 inches of it) had come off the blade tip. These are the stock blades that came with the heli.
What I wonted to ask is, What should I do? Does it matter that ive lost a little bit of it? Should i try to recover the tip myself? Will the warrenty cover this and replace the blades? Or will i just have to buy some new ones?

Thanks for any advice
Bug

[Bikeracer]

We used to use Fablon years ago,no idea what's in use today though,probably some form of heat shrink.
If some coverings come off they'll be out of balance and will need checking when you put some new covering on.

Allan

[Bug]

So should i definitally put some more covering on? as its only a very small bit that came off.... Alose do u think i could just use some thick tape?

[David Drew]

Don't bother. Get a pair of glass blades, approx £25 -30.

The woods will eventually absorb water & distort. Any new wrapping will almost certainly come off again. Have seen them fly when uncovered, dirty & not looking too good, but why bother for such a small amount for reassurance?

David

[Bug]

ok, will prob look into that then, so is it fine just to fly them without tht little end bit? cause if it is i will probly do that for awhile.. Ive only just started heli's and wasnt planning on upgrading the blades for a while, ive only had 5 tanks of fuel through the raptor... Oh wellz, if there not safe to fly i will have to get some glass ones, lol


Thanks, Bug

[David Drew]

Personally, I wouldn't. They do have a varnish and some resistance to water, but they will absorb water to some degree & prob go out of balance.

Don't look at it as upgrade. Glass blades are better, are better balanced and I just feel safer with them.

David

[AndersUK]

If the blades are still fine and were originally balanced and tracking well then it would be a shame to chuck them even though glass blades can be had for £30 nowadays. If your experience/flying style is such that you don't push the blades that hard then I would just re-cover them with fablon as suggested. Very cheap and effective. Cut it to shape and with a single peice cover from the the top-back edge of the blade, folding over the leading edge, and then underneath to the back edge of the underside (if that makes sense).

ok, will prob look into that then, so is it fine just to fly them without tht little end bit? cause if it is i will probly do that for awhile.. Ive only just started heli's and wasnt planning on upgrading the blades for a while, ive only had 5 tanks of fuel through the raptor... Oh wellz, if there not safe to fly i will have to get some glass ones, lol


Thanks, Bug

[CT]

I have used the shrink tubing to cover the main part of the blades and used super glue on the two bare ends of the blades. I have done this quite a few times without any problems

Chris

[Bug]

Thanks guys... I will probly just recover them and try that out.. if that dosnt work i might look into getting glass blades thanks for the advice