Using Battery drill as starter

[sargan]

Wondered about using a 18V rechargeable (DeWalt XR2) drill to start a 50 heli.

Is this practical ...?
I could buy a simple replacement starter shaft and put that in drill chuck ...

Do starter have any one way clutch or similar or do they just spin up the shaft ?

What sort of rpm do starters use ...

The drill has variable trigger of course, and a 3 position mechanical gearbox ..
0-450
0-1450
0-2000

The DeWalt 18V drill has tons of power .... just a consideration for another use for it.

[challis349]

I've seen it done using a proper starter, and an 18v trigger and battery holder, don't know about the actual drill though

[Steve]

<img src="http://clic.net/pics/gf.jpg"> - G-Force ProStart (part# GFA7066) - ClicShop

G-Force bits are available from most reputable retailers.

[Boggy]

yep it works i used a drill for a couple of years when i first started then bought a second hand sullivan.And now im flying planks aswell its back in use

[tonystevens]

I'm using one and it does work but i do seem to go through a few one way bearings, probably because it doesnt run a smooth as say a dynatron.
The other problem with using a drill is the chuck keeps coming loose as its running in reverse.
I just havent got round to getting a decent starter yet.
I really do need to get myself a dynatron.

[Tom Burgess]

I really do need to get myself a dynatron.

No **** sherlock!

[sargan]

<img src="http://clic.net/pics/gf.jpg"> - G-Force ProStart (part# GFA7066) - ClicShop

G-Force bits are available from most reputable retailers.

I'll have a Google see if I can find one ...

[derrick]

I used one for a couple of weeks when i first started, no probs then went for a cheap twenty quid starter lasted about a month, now i have a dynatron will start anything,

[sargan]

<img src="http://clic.net/pics/gf.jpg"> - G-Force ProStart (part# GFA7066) - ClicShop

G-Force bits are available from most reputable retailers.

Just a 'use' question do you use this with a straight shaft ... or does it need to be a shaft with a one way bearing ?

[Cuppa]

I'm using one and it does work but i do seem to go through a few one way bearings, probably because it doesnt run a smooth as say a dynatron.
The other problem with using a drill is the chuck keeps coming loose as its running in reverse.
I just havent got round to getting a decent starter yet.
I really do need to get myself a dynatron.

No sh#t bud! do yourself a favor and just use the drill for DIY.
it will fu*k the clutch stack for sure!

[coptermanic]

I'm using one and it does work but i do seem to go through a few one way bearings, probably because it doesnt run a smooth as say a dynatron.
The other problem with using a drill is the chuck keeps coming loose as its running in reverse.
I just havent got round to getting a decent starter yet.
I really do need to get myself a dynatron.

I agree with those sentiments. The starting direction is the reverse of drilling direction, so the chuck indeed does come loose for those stubborn starts. It was Ok but I eventually opted for an Align Super-Hyper-Mega-Starter, which does helis fine, but is tricky to use for starting planks, as the switch is in the wrong place. Also, the Align starter is a bit slippery; could do with a better grip, or a strap.

[rapidgaz]

No **** sherlock!

I second that


Sent from me

[moyesboy]

You don't need a one way in the starter if the heli has a one way on the start shaft. It seems some anchient helis don't have one on board.

You can simply cut off a ball ended allen key and use that to start in your drill.

I used a 14.4v cheap battery drill for a whole season - but I found that at -5c in the winter it didn't spin the motor fast enough to get it going, and I had a wasted trip to the flying field.

I then bought a cheap starter of ebay which lasted 2 years before the shaft end snapped off.
I have now resurrected a firends cheap starter which had a burned out switch with bits of my starter and use that with a 4 cell lipo.


On the heli, if you don't clamp the fuel tube to the engine when the tank is full, fuel gradually runs into the carb and then the engine gets full of fuel and wont turn (Hydro locked). I reckon that why folks want powerful starters!

Theres a lot of comparing size of starters between men on here...

[sargan]

You don't need a one way in the starter if the heli has a one way on the start shaft. It seems some anchient helis don't have one on board.

You can simply cut off a ball ended allen key and use that to start in your drill.

I used a 14.4v cheap battery drill for a whole season - but I found that at -5c in the winter it didn't spin the motor fast enough to get it going, and I had a wasted trip to the flying field.

.

Not sure if mine has a one way bearing built-in or not, only started assembly yesterday ...a TT X50
just thought it could be a cheaper way of getting kitted out....