Replacing Tail Boom  
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All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Electric RC Helis >> E-Flite Helicopters >> Replacing Tail Boom
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Replacing Tail Boom - 8/18/2006 8:02:36 PM   
charcoaldabs


 

Posts: 173
Joined: 8/12/2006
From: City, RI, USA
Status: offline 		I just got my helidirect package, and I was about to replace the tail boom, when I realized the stock tail boom is really in there. How is it stock attached? If it is CA, how can I unstick it? And how should I attach the new tail boom, CA?

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/18/2006 8:36:08 PM   
hover_lover


 

Posts: 36
Joined: 10/27/2005
From: , WI, USA
Status: offline 		I use a heat gun to defeat the CA. Works great in the proper hands, but can melt your junk in the wrong hands. The trick is to apply a liitle heat and test it. Repeat as needed. Remove servos etc. so you don't melt them.

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/18/2006 11:42:38 PM   
charcoaldabs


 

Posts: 173
Joined: 8/12/2006
From: City, RI, USA
Status: offline 		Is brute force a possibility, is there any other way then buying a heat gun?

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/19/2006 12:28:46 AM   
hover_lover


 

Posts: 36
Joined: 10/27/2005
From: , WI, USA
Status: offline 		Its all paper-rock-scissors. Heat gun beats CA but CA beats carbon fiber. Brute force will break the CF (more than likely) before the CA lets go.

Others have cut off the boom flush at the airframe and then drilled it out to the proper size. You could simply use a new airframe.

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/19/2006 12:37:30 AM   
choppersrule


 

Posts: 4065
Joined: 5/3/2006
From: Greenwood, IN, USA
Status: offline 		charcoaldabs,

I got this from another thread, from Psikelly, I believe.

Try soaking it in paint thinner.. remove all the servos and stuff before you do..

I think the heat gun would be a sure beat thou... DON'T USE any kind of tourch, like fire.. Instant ashes.

Dave / Choppersrule

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/19/2006 12:54:03 AM   
charcoaldabs


 

Posts: 173
Joined: 8/12/2006
From: City, RI, USA
Status: offline 		So what kind of heat gun are we talking specifically? While a hair dryer work? I should be out at a CVS tonight, I'll look for a heat gun, but I have a feeling I'll have to get to a radio shack.

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/19/2006 12:57:45 AM   
ct420


 

Posts: 1177
Joined: 3/26/2006
From: mansfield, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I have this very heat gun, and it works great:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHZ16&P=7


Pops that CA loose in no time...

I don't think a hair dryer would work. They just don't get hot enough.

You could probably use one of those heat guns made for stipping paint, although those get VERY hot, so you would have to be extra careful...

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/19/2006 1:16:38 AM   
choppersrule


 

Posts: 4065
Joined: 5/3/2006
From: Greenwood, IN, USA
Status: offline 		charcoaldabs,

If you get the heat gun, be very careful, they get hot enough to catch paper on fire.

Since, your tail boom is already toast. Test the heat gun in the middle of the boom to see, how close or far awayyou should be from the carbon fiber structure before it melts..

You don't want to melt the main frame.


Dave / Choppersrule

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/19/2006 8:10:31 PM   
charcoaldabs


 

Posts: 173
Joined: 8/12/2006
From: City, RI, USA
Status: offline 		Hmm, well I bought a heat gun guys... and it didn't seem to do much. After about an hour of trying I decided to turn the heat on to high, and hold it reaaaaal close, part of the plastic holding a servo started to bubble. However, the old boom would not budge! I am at a loss of what to do, besides the paint thinner which seems extremely hard, any tips guys?

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/19/2006 8:28:39 PM   
choppersrule


 

Posts: 4065
Joined: 5/3/2006
From: Greenwood, IN, USA
Status: offline 		charcoaldabs,

Hmmm, heat gun didin't work.. Only thing left I can think of is to drill it out with a bit just a tiny smaller than the boom diameter and then one the same size. Just have to be real careful.

Good luck,

Dave / Choppersrule

PS... At worst, you can always get a main frame assembly for about $12. Comes with main frame, tail boom and tail motor housing.


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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/19/2006 9:51:50 PM   
charcoaldabs


 

Posts: 173
Joined: 8/12/2006
From: City, RI, USA
Status: offline 		Hmm, I'll keep trying this heat gun cause it set me back 30 dollars, any more tips for using it anyone? Psi, CT420, wanna pipe up?

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/20/2006 2:13:10 AM   
Psikelly



Posts: 1024
Joined: 2/19/2006
From: Ottawa, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Well if money is a factor then youre gonna wanna fix it so strip that frame down and soak it in a jug of paint thinner for at least a couple hours. Soon as you pull it out try twisting it out. If it doesnt work then hit it with heat as well. If it still doesnt work let it soak a couple more hours and repeat. You will get it out like this cuz Ive done it. Just takes a bit of waiting.

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/20/2006 5:24:08 AM   
charcoaldabs


 

Posts: 173
Joined: 8/12/2006
From: City, RI, USA
Status: offline 		Yea, I am just most worried about re assembling everything, but I guess I'm already screwed, so I might as well go all in. Any particular paint thinner to use?

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/20/2006 8:06:27 AM   
ct420


 

Posts: 1177
Joined: 3/26/2006
From: mansfield, TX, USA
Status: offline 		The heat should have worked. How hot does the heat gun get? Mine is 400F when I close the vent on the back almost all the way, and put on the attachment that squeezes the air down to a thin flow.

You have to get it really hot. Just do it slowly. Heat for several seconds with the end of the gun about 1-2 inches from the plastic. Move the heat gun around it constantly. Don't let it sit in one spot too long. Heat it a bit, then twist to see if it's loose. If not, heat again immediately, and repeat. I can usually get it off in about 5mins using this technique...

The paint thinner would certainly make it easier to come off, so if you just don't think you can get it with the heat, then follow PSI's advice, and it should come off for sure.

Just remember, a whole new frame and boom is only about $15.00, and that's your worse-case scenario. Don't be too afraid of breaking it...

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/20/2006 4:51:27 PM   
Psikelly



Posts: 1024
Joined: 2/19/2006
From: Ottawa, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		JUst normal paint thinner is good enough. Like Varsol or Varasol not sure how its spelled. Just look in the paint section. If youre not sure just ask the counter guy for it and tell him its for cleaning paint brushes. He'll know what it is

Dont worry bout getting it back together . It looks way more complicated than it actually is. Itll be a breeze goin back together and theres lots of online help to get it together again. Itll also give you experience youre gonna need sooner or later anyway replacing broken parts

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NO I did not just crash!! Im making it flop around on the ground like that on purpose. Its a new stunt.

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RE: Replacing Tail Boom - 8/20/2006 5:27:12 PM   
charcoaldabs


 

Posts: 173
Joined: 8/12/2006
From: City, RI, USA
Status: offline 		CT420, my heat gun is 750/1000 according to the package, though I can hold my hand in front of it with out burning myself, however heating my