Well seems I have poped up hereat the right time. After my 3 previously mentioned successful attempts thurs at the LHS. I got another flite in on fri. during our regular club meeting. Feeling rather proud of myself, I ventured outside today for some practice at home. It was calm and sunny. I don't haved a paved area and figured it would be alright to fly over the grass. MISTAKE! On liftoff the gear snagged, and it nosed over, then bouced back on the tail when the rotors hit. Nodamage to rotors, but have a slightly bent main shaft, and the tail skid snapped off. I didn't notice that until I was back in the house. Anyway, I have obtained a new mainshaft, and will take the old one to my friends house to true it in his lathe. then I'll keep it for a spare.
I noticed that the setscrew from the collar also left a small burr that won't go through the bearing. I will have to get a small file to masage it so I can slip the shaft out.

As for you machinists, couldn't you hold the main gear on with a pin also? would that help with your creation of home made shafts? also what about a carbon fiber rod or tube for a shaft? any thoughts?

Almost forgot, what is the accepted repair for the tail skid?