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?

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.

Is brute force a possibility, is there any other way then buying a heat gun?

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.

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

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.

I have this very heat gun, and it works great:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&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...

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

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?

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.

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?

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.

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?

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...

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

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 heli up, it got so hot that I dropped it on the ground [:@]. I will try rotating and such for 5 minutes as you suggested.

Alright, I completely stripped the helicopter down, in preparation for the paint thinner, except, I couldn't get the main spindle and main gear off. Is it okay if that get's soaked too? Or will it break down the helicopter, or corrode the lubricant, if there is any?

charcoaldabs,

The bearings for the main shaft is probably your problem, there is one on the top of the main frame and one on the bottom, where the shaft goes thru. Just get your dremel out, or a file and remove some of the high spots off the top of the main shaft a little, until you can get the bearings off.

I had this problem today, I'm replacing a tail boom too. Take the whole thing apart, great leaning experience..

Dave Choppersrule

Yea I learned a lot from taking everything off. I am unclear as to what you are telling me to file Dave. What is it specifically that is catching on the main shaft? I am at half a mind to just stick it in the paint thinner now. Or buy a Dremel tomorrow... []

The main shaft is probably 'mushroomed' out slightly, most likely where the shear pin hole is.

You can use a file or even some sand paper to smooth down any rough spots on the shaft so it can slide through the bearings...

Exactally. If you look closely around the hole in the shaft youll see it very slightly raised around the edge of the hole from the torque of the blades spinning and putting pressure on the shear pin, which in turn bends the metal of the shaft a bit. I bought a couple small files and they work nice for filing it down again. Dont worry bout filing too far. Just file a bit then try slide it over and if it wont then file some more. Better to take your time and spend an extra 15 mnutes than have to have down time cuz you need to buy a new shaft

Yea I shoulda read that first... [&o]. Almost everything is back to normal, a bit more work tomorrow, some trial and error with the correct servos plugs in the 4n1 and some general cosmetics, and hopefully I am back in business after days of downtime.