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**Rob Barnes** · 17-12-2013, 03:15 PM

Buying second hand is always a bind. Take it all apart and start from scratch replacing screws along the way, take your time and just do it methodically. You should allow yourself time to do and most of all don't rush what your doing as you will benefit in the end. Post pics on or send me messages on here if your stuck and we will help where we can !

**danb** · 17-12-2013, 03:19 PM

Originally posted by Rob Barnes View Post

Buying second hand is always a bind. Take it all apart and start from scratch replacing screws along the way, take your time and just do it methodically. You should allow yourself time to do and most of all don't rush what your doing as you will benefit in the end. Post pics on or send me messages on here if your stuck and we will help where we can !

Cheers Rob, I think it's my only option to be honest.

Can anyone recommend somewhere to get replacement screws? As I'm unsure if the set I link would be entirely suitable. And also a good set of hex drivers.

And what other items do I need.... grease? loctite?

The heli is in overall good shape and all components seem to work correctly, it's not in a good shape set-up wise. And the stripped screws really are a pain in the arse.

**Delarado** · 17-12-2013, 03:21 PM

what are you using to remove the screws and whats stripping?

If its threads, thats bad luck im afraid. If its the heads in the screws, a good quality hex driver set will work wonders for you. I wouldnt go near any of my helis with standard allen keys.

**moyesboy** · 17-12-2013, 03:22 PM

Stripped screws would be really serious.
I assume you mean rounded hex sockets.
Just buy a really good hex drive set and you might find those problem screws still work, or at least are easier to get out. Once the hex driver is worn, or if you use a soft one, its all down hill from there.
The align hex drivers are actually good quality. I've been rebuilding my 450 regularly with them for years.

**nobbycopter** · 17-12-2013, 03:23 PM

If any of the screws (that go into metal) are really stuck then DON'T try to force them, get a soldering iron and hold it on the head of the screw for 20 seconds or so (you can sometimes hear the sizzle of the threadlock) and then try to unscrew. Do invest in a decent set of allen keys it's a must and will save you loads of grief in the long run. Sizes you'll need for a 450 are 1.5mm (2 of them as you need them to get the feathering shaft out easily) 2mm, 2.5mm & 3mm should get you going although you'll need a 1.3mm to get the canopy post long grub screws out if they've been thread locked in.

**n00by** · 17-12-2013, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by danb View Post

And well, to be honest. I'm getting really peeved with it.... Everytime I go to remove a part so that I can route a wire, or get better access to a servo horn or something. Or remove the head so that I can level the swash or something... I'm getting stripped screw after stripped screw. It's really p*ssing me off!

I guess this is the danger of 2nd hand, but I didn't expect it after I had been told how this Heli had been very well looked after, (doesn't look that way to me... )

so its not been looked after because U stripped the screws while removing them? lol

sounds like your tools are the problem, get yourself a decent set of hex drivers.

**Peper** · 17-12-2013, 03:26 PM

Hi danb,

don't be put down with what is happening,
No I won't tell you to go and get a Gaui kit, because it has plastic parts and the screws are tough as diamonds! this would make you not to look at your recent purchase in the same way

I've had some screws giving up from a brand new 450 kit out of the box!
to add to that, I'am on my 2nd DFC head on my 450 and that is without a single crash... just slop developing and a loose fit of the 1st head on the shaft (1st DFC head had only the jesus bolt connecting shaft/centre hub).
had several screws going bad and have put my dremel to good use a few times.

the thing that helps a bit is not to overtighten the screws... use blue locktight and just 1/4 turn on the screw once it reaches the frame.
as said here before, Align kits are indeed premium but their biggest let down is their cheesy screws, specially on these 450 and smaller kits.
haven't purchased a SS screw kit yet but I can see good results using them.

keep it up.

**danb** · 17-12-2013, 03:31 PM

Ah okay.

Sorry, by stripped screws I mean the heads are rounding off, not the threads stripping.

Can you recommend a good set of Hex drivers please? And I do need some replacement screws as a few I have managed to take out, I would definitely not put back. Most key being the screw that is paired with a nut holding the head to the main shaft.

I was looking at these:

HZ024 | Align CNC Hex Driver Set (1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-Hex-...=allen+key+set

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-14125...=allen+key+set

MIP 1.5mm Thorp Hex Driver MIP9007

Also what other items are required for the re-build?

Thanks all

**danb** · 17-12-2013, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by n00by View Post

so its not been looked after because U stripped the screws while removing them? lol

sounds like your tools are the problem, get yourself a decent set of hex drivers.

Well no, the manual says its a 1.5mm screw head, so I put the hex driver in and turn, and it spins .... I've tried multiple sets of allen keys.

**DaveG** · 17-12-2013, 03:53 PM

Quality & Align are two words that very rarely seen in the same sentence, except when you are talking 'BAD QUALITY'. Sorry, but it had to be said.

The bolts and screws used in Align kits are very well know for been soft or low quality so treat them as a one time only deal, especially with the small size of the ones used on the small helicopters. Invest in a bolt bag, these include every bolt/nut/washer for all the small align kits and are cheap or invest in high quality fixings, personally i would just save some cost and just buy a cheap align fixings pack and rebuild and replace.

A good set of hex drivers also helps, cheap fixings and worn hex drivers are a recipe for stripped bolt heads. Good ones are MIP,scorpion, hudy to name a few.

**n00by** · 17-12-2013, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by danb View Post

Well no, the manual says its a 1.5mm screw head, so I put the hex driver in and turn, and it spins .... I've tried multiple sets of allen keys.

ah right i see they're already stripped i apologize then, sorry

not sure what make mine are i bought them a long time ago but they're similar to these TT1103 | Wrench Driver Set (4PC)

**sp4rky-m4rky** · 17-12-2013, 03:54 PM

As said by everyone else, good tools will make the difference.
The heads of the screws tend to grip the carbon plates and take a lot of force to break the friction, be aware of this when you put them back in, you don’t need to do them as tight as you may think. I don’t use locktight on them even, as they grip so tight.
On the heads that are stripped and won’t come out even with a new tool, I have found if you get a fine hacksaw blade you can cut a slot for a screwdriver. Take the blade on its own and put tape over the frame to protect it from scratches, you can make a cut in the head of the bolt in which you can then use a flat headed screwdriver on and they normally come out easily.
If it is a second hand heli the mechanical set up should be done already and the wiring already routed, it should just require connecting up and a quick check over?
Still at least the forecast is for it to be windy for a few days yet anyway so you are better off not maidening it until that passes. Use the time to get it right and further practice on the sim.
It’s a long process learning to fly helis and rushing a few days is not worth it in the long run. Take the time, it will be worth it in the end.

**danb** · 17-12-2013, 04:35 PM

Thanks for the advice guys.

I see some of you have mentioned, "Fixing bags" and bags components that cover the whole heli.

Would be great if I could get some links to these.

Cheers!

**Dan22** · 17-12-2013, 04:38 PM

Some good answers & advise here
I stopped rounding heads the day i bought a decent pair of hex drivers.
As for Align, some may disagree and we all have our own opinion but......I have had several Aligns and still have a 500 Pro and a 550 DFC, all of which i have found to be of good quality. So stick with it mate

Dan.

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