Servo Handling
 

Does it hurt an unpowered servo to turn the control horn manually. Can this strip the gears? Inquiring minds want to know.

Captain Crunch

Gears
 

Although I can't speak for digitals, the coreless move very very easily. The regular old ball bearing have more resistance but still move. You can normally tell when you should stop pushing the issue. Think about how many times a control surface gets bumped going up the steps or in the van :eek: It's been windy enough at times where the rudder goes to full deflection because of wind. Bottom line, be careful and use the force Luke!

Servo Handling
 

I mostly agree with Bob. However, some servos will not tolerate being forced. I have stripped the gears of a Hitec HS-85 trying to get it to move. I figured "well maybe a bit more force is all it needs". Wrong! That lesson cost me a new gearset and time to fiddle with installing it.

For most servos this is a non-issue. I've had no problem moving JR 8411's, 4721's, 537's, 517's, 507's, and 241's... or Hitech 81's, 225's, 425's, 605's, and 645MG's. Watch out for HS-85's though... great servos but try not to force them. These are just the servos that I have personal experience with.

Andy Steere
http://astro.umsystem.edu/andy/rc/