RE: BME Edge?
 

LAWNBOY ASHLESS UPDATE!!!

I just went by my local ACE Hardware for some other items and I just walked by the 2-cycle oil aisle. There they were sitting right on the shelf - Lawnboy Ashless 2-cycle 32:1 cans. Mind you, this is the same exact ACE Hardware that I called looking for it and I was told "we only carry the ACE brand".

In speaking with the manager he said that because it carries an ACE part number it should be stocked or available at all ACE hardware locations. If they dont have it, they can get it. He was not sure why their employee did not walk the 5 steps necessary to actually check the shelf and see if they carried it. I have to admit, their store is usually excellent on the customer service performance.

So, PTGarcia and others in California (with our new no-spill gas cans that raised the price by 30%) I can also ship you some or you can try your local ACE Hardware locations and perhaps if they don't carry it, the manager can get it for you.

Since I had not been able to find any, I bought some OPTI-2 2 cycle oil that promotes clean burning, low smoke, faster break-in, petroleum based oil. It looked like the best alternative, but since I found the lawnboy, I probably won't use the opti in the DA.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Right on dirtypool, I'll check out my local ACE and see if they can order a few can for me. Thanks for the update.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Ed42-RCU - have you finalized the CHP horn setup on the rudder yet? IF these do not provide enough throw, I will have to go with a Dubro p-p on the rudder and order a 3" SWB horn.

Spar

Oh, yeah, update- I now have my new standoffs and can now proceed with the firewall mounting and engine setup. Very nice units from Aerografix. Again, the use of a laser system, readily available now, made setting up the engine location super easy.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Where did you get the new standoffs? I cant find a website.

How much $$?

Thanks.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Spar...I'm known in my club as one of the slowest builders. I just finished hooking up the pull-pull on the rudder. Here's a couple of picks. Let me know if you need a better pic.

RE: BME Edge?
 

DirtyPool - here is the site: [link=http://www.geocities.com/roger_forgues/engstandoff.html]http://www.aerografixs.com/[/link]
Roger does fantastic work and will bore and thread them to your specs. Mine were 3.625" long, M5 on motor side, M6 - 1 on the firewall side.

Here is a pic of mine compared with stock mounts, and me setting up the motor. Laser was turned off for the pic for the alignment. It looks like I will not have to put a hole in the firewall so the carb can breathe either.

Thanks for the pics Ed. They are clear enough.

Spar

RE: BME Edge?
 

Wow.. those standoffs look awesome.. how long did it take from order to receipt?


Well now that I have about 46 flights on the Edge I wanted to give everyone a little follow up.

At 5.0 inches, the CG is perfect. I still have a slight snap tendency in large elevator moves but I am dismissing that is more or less normal. I can manage it completely with expo and light fingers. There are no issues at low speed, which is where you don't want a snap tendency! If I get too slow it will drop a wing, but it slows very nicely for landings.

I was a little afraid of the strength of the gear plate area when I put this plane together - while the gear plate itself was monsterous, the ply around it was lite ply, pretty weak and not much of it.... I literally could move it with a little hand pressure. My suspicions were rewarded on the 40th flight when the gear plate literally fell apart. I did not have a single bad landing, in fact, I can't even remember having one remotely hard landing... most were all greased in perfect landings. I was lucky in that the gear plate did not seperate, in only sagged so there was no damage to the plane at all.

I got out the xacto and upon further inspection there was NO glue on the right hand side of the gear plate. I was suspecting something was shifting when the covering kept wrinkling and I had to keep re-shrinking it around the right side of the gear plate.. I kept flying it anyway and it finally caved. My guess is the covering was the only thing holding it together for quite a few flights!!

I was lucky I did not have a hard landing, I am sure it would have ripped the whole thing out.

I stripped a little of the covering back and had to repair 3 broken stringers on the bottom and right sides. I put in some balsa corner stock and a few larger pieces of thick balsa to build a strong box out of the gear plate and floor of the airplane... keeping it strong but very light. I used 5 min epoxy on everything, again, with an effort to keep it light. I added maybe one once and now the gear plate is rock solid.

I put the covering back on and you can't even tell I was in there.

6 flights today and it still looks like new and no more covering sag!

If you have not gone though the gear plate mounts on your plane I would stongly advise you to take a look. It is an inherently weak design. I am confident that if you have a hard landing it will do damage as mine was weakend just over a few routine flights and very gentle landings.

As is typical with ARFs, once the bugs are worked out.. many of them really are nice planes.

I am finding myself like the plane more and more with each set of flights. It is finally trimming out perfectly.

DP

RE: BME Edge?
 

desertpig, it was one week from order to delivery. Once Roger has the order, he had them made the next day and shipped.

Decided to change my mind and go with the Du-bro pull-pull on the rudder so I can get the horns out to 3", and a 3" SWB arm on the JR 8611 rudder servo. I mocked it up and it is this configuration that allows the lines to pass through the fuse cleanly in the pre-cut slots. Plus, I was not keen on the dual CHP horns, and being shy 3" from horn to horn by 1/2" made me switch. Looks like I will have a couple of CHP horns as spares.

Firewall has been prepped for mounts, throttle/choke linkage holes made, and the fuel line hole bored. Getting glued in as I speak. Then on to the canopy. Carbon tailwheel assy is now on. I have almost everything I need now to complete it.

Spar

RE: BME Edge?
 

What's the recommended location to install the control horn? I'm planning on using DuBro's. Should the control arm be perpendicular to the hinge line or with the servo arm? I've outlined the location of the hard plate. If it's perpendicular to the hinge line, I would be in the center of the hard plate. Otherwise, I'm off center.

Thanks in advance

RE: BME Edge?
 

This is "sort of" a design flaw...

Usually the servo tray should be at 90 degrees to the hingeline , but instead is 90 degrees to leading edge (or parallel to thrust line).

You need to set the arm on the servo so that at center it is parasllel to the hingline... Then the control horn will be installed in the center of the plate and be 90 degrees to the servo arm.

It'll look funny but there is no mechanical problem with it.

Do NOT use your ATM or endpoints to adjust... literally leave the servo at neutral and pull the arm off and replace as close to parallel with the hingeline as possible... then use your subtrim to tweak it perfect.

Looks like your pushrods are not long enough... you'll need longer.

RE: BME Edge?
 

It'll look like this... the green block is the new angle of the horn and the two green lines show that it is parallel to the hingeline...

I say it's sort of a design flaw... it's NOT... but MOST design have the servo bay at 90 degrees to the hingeline because it's easier to eyeball the servo arm at 90 to it's case than tho eyeball it parallel with the hingeline.

RE: BME Edge?
 

I guess that I should also state that it's more popular to set the horn in line with the outside edge of the servo. (which makes the pushrod at an acute angle) when at neutral but when at full throws and heaviest load, the linkage is 90 degrees and at strongest mechanical advantage.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Maudib thanks for the explanation. I never thought about setting the servo arm parallel to the hinge line. Sounds like a simple solution.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Yep...

I actuality is ALWAYS should be parallel to the hingeline (we just don't pay much attention because the servos are perpendicular to it and thus making the arm stick out at right angles matches the hingeline automatically.

If it isn't you will get more throw one way than the other. This contributes to people not getting as axial of rolls as they could because they have differential they are not aware of, and usually different differential to the left than to the right.... many planes will fly better with proper differential, but you need to be in control of that via your radio.

Anywho glad to be of help. Enjoy that plane!

RE: BME Edge?
 

Maudib-Great pictorials, wish I could do that. A picture is worth a thousand words.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Just finished hinging and installing the servo's in the wing. Here's a pic with the wings on. What's left to do?
1. decide on how to secure the wings to the wing tube. I'm not sure whether to use the supplied method or install a bolt system from inside the fuse.
2. install the receiver battery, regulator and switch. Just ordered a 2350 Li-ion pack from Troy Built Models. I normally only fly four 10 min flights.
3. finish up securing everything.

I did get a chance to check the weight and balance. Without the receiver battery, regulator and switch, I put it on my baby scale - it's over 16 pounds. I wish I had a more accurate scale, so I bid on a 30# Ultraship off E-xxx. The balance is slightly nose down at 5 inches using the GP Balance Machine.

I know you guys are going to tell me to finish it, but it's only second Giant. Probably still a couple of weeks away from maidening (weather permitting). Thanks again for all the suggestions.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Looks very nice.... you are gonna like how it flys. Keep us informed.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Don't sweat the setup. I set mine up with the arms perpendicular to the servo case at center. I used 2.5" H9 Prolinks with DuBro horns on mine. The horns are not quite centered in hard point, but so what! Been flying the snot out of it and it flys great.

My throws are symmetrical as is, but the setup info presented makes sense.. I probably won't change anything, my plane finally flies how I want it to.. perfect rolls and snaps.

Also - if you need to set up your split elevators, check out my article[link=http://www.1tt.biz] HERE[/link] on setups and getting it right... works every time!
DP

RE: BME Edge?
 

Ordered a BME Edge and a DA 50... hoping it's a good combo. Have a question though. I've seen post from other users of this plane and I have seen the firewall offset any where from 2 to 3 degrees. Can anyone help me who has used this plane engine combo so I can be sure I get the proper offset right from the start.. Thanks for any feedback

RE: BME Edge?
 

If you have a good computer radio you can mix in 1-2% right rudder on throttle advance using multi-point curves and not have to worry about firewall engine thrust. I did that and could not be happier. Before you do that however make sure your cowl is not cut for thrust.. .some are some aren't .

Also - the fiberglass is really thin - a good thing for light weight, a bad thing for longevity. My cowl and pants fell apart and BME carries no spares of any kind (nice eh?).

My advice is BEFORE you finally mount the cowl, epoxy a single CA hinge behind EVERY hole you cut into it and then after that has set up and cured, epoxy some fiberglass cloth over the CA hinge. Keep it thin! Once cured, THEN drill the mounting holes.. this will prevent the holes from elongating and also prevent the cowl from cracking.

Mine completely disintegrated after 50 flights.... conveniently taking my $80 CF mezjlik spinner with it. I now have retired the plane because BME won't take a cowl off a new kit and supposedly spares are months away.

Its a good plane, but its a trick to keep it light and to balance it. CRAM everything as far forward as you possibly can. Put the rudder servo under the wing tube, build a removable cradle for the fuel tank so that it sits on top of the rudder servo.

Put all electronics and batteries on the firewall.

DP

RE: BME Edge?
 

Daggum you must have one heck of a vibration problem for it too disinagrate your cowling and wheel pants ???


Chad

RE: BME Edge?
 

Actually, very little vibration - more like just cheap fiberglass.

The prop and spinner were balanced, engine is new. This setup vibrates less than the ZDZ-80 powered planes I did.
I was surprized at how fast the stuff came apart... of course, I emailed Max and he said "no spares" so I am going to retire it.

I think I am going to order an extreme flight Yak..
DP

RE: BME Edge?
 

Man 50 flights and retired , that is way too short of a life span. I have 35 flights on mine and i consider it sill new. I hope to get a couple hundred flight on it this year. And i hope it last several years more :).

I hate to here you having bad luck , and it really sucks that they dont have replacement parts. Geeesh i hope i dont have a minor accident with mine and need a cowling or something.


Chad

RE: BME Edge?
 

I was in contact with Max and he said he is expecting to carry spares fairly soon. I hope so, cause he promised me a new set of wheel pants as mine were slightly crushed in shipping.

What size prop was that? I would be calling Gene at [link=http://www.troybuiltmodels.com]Troy Built Models[/link] and see what he has in stock. My 22x10 was $46. When I called him a couple weeks back, he had six in stock.

Spar

RE: BME Edge?
 

Hey spar... it was the spinner, not the prop. DA carries spinners made by mezjlik.. they are real nice! My Bolly prop was unhurt despite chewing up the cowl into 50 pieces and trashing my spinner!

If you need wheel pants, get the ones from the Patty, they are only $20 at Tower Hobbies and one hell of a lot stronger and nicer than the ones that came with the edge. They also are a little larger so they fit the 3.5 skylite wheels.. huge diff on landings! I saw the Patty today in person and they are the way to go!

I actually flew the Edge today sans cowl, spinner and pants. It is BUTT UGLY now but it still flies well. It really burns me up that I can't get a new cowl for the POS that came in the box. It was bad out of the box just like the wheel pants... all cracked and weak and no support. [:@][:@] I have decided I am just going to just torture it until it either falls apart or until my Yak arrives... whichever comes first!!

I absolutely ABUSED it this morning! I have never done 10 full throttle snaps in a row... and a full throttle knife snap!

I did today!!
mooohaaahhaaa!
DP

RE: BME Edge?
 

Ooops, you're right!! They say the eyes are the forst to gi... :D

Spar

RE: BME Edge?
 

Well Desertpig one thing that will come good from this abuse for the rest us is that we now know that airframe is very strong.

Keep up the testing i'am glad to know that this thing will take that kinda abuse. When you get done abusing it if it is still together:eek: Maybe you could call Stans Fiber glass and get a cowling for it. Maybe a cowling off a WH edge will fit? There has to be a cowling off some edge that will fit this plane.

Chad

RE: BME Edge?
 

There will be... it's just that BME is out of stock of the planes and didn't have many parts for replacement. Again an initial faux pa in underestimating the demand.

BME Aircraft will of course have replacement components in the near future, including the cowl.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Thanks for the info desertpig.. I do have a computer radio that would do the mixing, I was just trying to get the firewall right on with very little mixing. I have a friend who does fiberglass.. Thinking I should do a mold of the cowl and wheel pants before i install them.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Any extreme 3d videos of this thing flying?

RE: BME Edge?
 

I had heard there was a video on the BME website so I checked it out... the info panel on it made me really mad [:@]

How they could say that plane weighed 15.5 pounds is beyond me. Must have been that British Columbia hothouse weed they're smoking up there these days.

There is no way with a BME 50 that plane made 15.5 pounds. NO WAY.
You can tell its heavier by the way it lands.. it drop stalls, just like mine. Get it too slow and drops a wing even on CG.

Oh well... let the beating continue.
DP

RE: BME Edge?
 

great job on the cockpit.. If you have downsized the file i would like to have you email it to me [email protected].
Thanks!!!

RE: BME Edge?
 

Well a little more info for everyone.. today's regimen - full speed pass into a wall... then a hover into a tail slide. Did 5 in a row with no issues whatsoever. Landed after the 5th one to check the wings to see that they didn't delaminate :D then took off for some more abuse. Full throttle on low pass knife edge into a hard upline snap roll into a reverse lumcevok (sp?) into a hover.

Man I can't believe nothing has broken yet! I have never beat on an airframe as hard as I have on this one. I am beginning to think I might want to keep it now as it really is strong. The crazy stunts I have done with it is amazing. To my amazement nothing is loose either which says something about the construction.

It has done a great job at testing my rigging. I'de say at this point the nelson pull-pull setup is bullet proof.

My gear plate is weakening again, I did notice the stringers broke in the same spot they have 4 times already. That lite ply BME used in the engine box / gear plate area is just crap. This will be the 5th repair I have made on it and not one bounced or even semi-rough landing.. I'd hate to see what it would do if I really muffed a landing.

I might try to take some video in the next week or two.. we'll see.

Man this is fun!!
DP

RE: BME Edge?
 

ROFLMAO DP! Fly it like you stole it!

RE: BME Edge?
 

Thanks jdec!

Here is what I did. I removed a couple of layers that personalized it for me. I reduced the pixel resolution for printing from 600dpi to 300dpi and zipped it up. It is a lot smaller, but too large for email, so I put it up on my webserver for public access. Download it, open it in Adobe Photoshop and add whatever layers you want to customize it to suit and just print it off. DO NOT resize it using the pixels at it will not print correctly. It is already sized to print to fit the Edge's cockpit. I would recommend a good quality photo paper - I used Kodak High Gloss.

If anyone wants the panel, go download it here -> [link=http://www.lobstercove.ca/downloads/BME_Edge_%20Panel.zip]BME Edge Panel[/link]

I just got my Mejzlik prop in yesterday, and what a beaut!! I checked for balance and it is right on the money! Need one? Try TroyBuilt Models.

DP - glad to see that someone is flying the p*iss out of it!!!:D I am almost ready.... just need for Spring to arrive now.

Cheers,
Spar

RE: BME Edge?
 

Thanks DP for putting the EDGE through its pace. I was babying it last year now i can fly the crap out of it without worrying breaking it.

Sparhawk you will like the way this plane flys.

RE: BME Edge?
 

Thanks for the download link Sparhawk. My BME Edge just came in on Thursday.. I ordered a couple of the BME Aircraft laminated props.. these props are beautiful.. I hope they perform as well as they look.. The were perfectley balanced as well

RE: BME Edge?
 

Hey Sparhawk!

Thanks for the instrument panel - is it sized to be printed at 100% for proper fit?

RE: BME Edge?
 

I print it at 100% its too big.

RE: BME Edge?
 

You may have to adjust to suit your printer, but the way I made it was to print at 300 dpi, and at that it printed fine (in inches). When you go to print, just compare the size in inches and resize as required to print. It should be 7" by 3" high. You will need to trim the side a little bit and fold it inside the fuse.

Cheers,
Spar