Merlin 140X FOD Screen
10-06-2013, 11:00 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Merlin 140X FOD Screen
Hello all,
I was considering buying a Merlin 140X (with the brushless starter) and I've just asked Gaspar if he makes a FOD screen to fit and he has replied (exceptionally quickly) that he doesn't.
Does anyone know of a FOD screen that will fit this turbine or one that is easy to mod to fit?
I still can't quite understand why manufacturer's don't supply what is almost universally considered to be an essential piece of equipment. Jetcat were a little slow on the uptake but the ones that they supply now have been excellent for the turbines I have used them on, and the Wren solution is also excellent. I hate to buy an expensive model, with an expensive turbine and then bodge a tea strainer on to the front of the engine.
I was considering buying a Merlin 140X (with the brushless starter) and I've just asked Gaspar if he makes a FOD screen to fit and he has replied (exceptionally quickly) that he doesn't.
Does anyone know of a FOD screen that will fit this turbine or one that is easy to mod to fit?
I still can't quite understand why manufacturer's don't supply what is almost universally considered to be an essential piece of equipment. Jetcat were a little slow on the uptake but the ones that they supply now have been excellent for the turbines I have used them on, and the Wren solution is also excellent. I hate to buy an expensive model, with an expensive turbine and then bodge a tea strainer on to the front of the engine.
10-06-2013, 11:06 AM
#2
Gaspar told us to use a Hobby King FOD guard for his 160, it will fit with a little fettling. Its a bit crap but better than tea strainer, I completely agree with you though!
10-06-2013, 02:34 PM
#3
I bought these from Todd and modified them. http://www.dreamworksrc.com/catalog/...reen-98-X-81Mm They are held on with an O ring. Remove the white center ring, slit the screen in quarters 30 mm from the base, then fold the quarters inward. You can either place the O ring over the excess screen which will now be along the starter or modify the center ring and reuse it. The project takes apx. 20 minutes.
10-08-2013, 10:01 AM
#5
Thread Starter
Well it doesn't seem like there are many decent options 
It looks like Jets-Munt are going to lose a sale of a several thousand dollar turbine, for the sake of not providing a part that would probably cost them no more than $20 to make It seems like a strange business philosophy to me but maybe there's a reason that I'm not aware of.
It looks like Jets-Munt are going to lose a sale of a several thousand dollar turbine, for the sake of not providing a part that would probably cost them no more than $20 to make
It seems like a strange business philosophy to me but maybe there's a reason that I'm not aware of.
10-08-2013, 10:30 AM
#6
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Hi Darren,
I have used a couple of the Hobbyking ones. They only thing I had to supply was a fat O-ring. Otherwise they are the best quality ones I have come accross, except for the Wren integral ones. This is what Gaspar used to supply. I think that they do a smaller size too.
Best
John
I have used a couple of the Hobbyking ones. They only thing I had to supply was a fat O-ring. Otherwise they are the best quality ones I have come accross, except for the Wren integral ones. This is what Gaspar used to supply. I think that they do a smaller size too.
Best
John
10-08-2013, 10:32 AM
#7
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I'll be happy to document how to convert the Jetcat P-60 screen to fit if desired. It is a fairly simple mod that can be completed in less than 10 minutes!
Just let me know...
Just let me know...
10-08-2013, 10:43 AM
#8
Thread Starter
If you could Todd, that would be great. I had thought that the starter pod for the M140X had 'ears' on it that might make fitting a FOD difficult but I've just realised that the picture I was looking at was the VT80. Maybe fitting a FOD to the 140X isn't as hard as I initially thought?
10-08-2013, 10:54 AM
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Not at all, very simple. The main issue with fitting a FOD screen on the latest Merlin releases is the small diameter of his new starter motors. Looks like I am sold out of the Jetcat P-60 screen at the moment but will document the modification as soon as inventory arrives.
Todd
Todd
10-08-2013, 12:33 PM
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Well it doesn't seem like there are many decent options
It looks like Jets-Munt are going to lose a sale of a several thousand dollar turbine, for the sake of not providing a part that would probably cost them no more than $20 to make It seems like a strange business philosophy to me but maybe there's a reason that I'm not aware of.
It looks like Jets-Munt are going to lose a sale of a several thousand dollar turbine, for the sake of not providing a part that would probably cost them no more than $20 to make
It seems like a strange business philosophy to me but maybe there's a reason that I'm not aware of.