MTFYR

I was trying to figure the right topic name, but
this is the best I could come up with.

I thought I would start a thread to see what we
can come up with to replace OEM parts with after
market or home-made.

I have made aluminum tail boom ( to thin )
now I have carbon fiber.

I also ordered these blades [link=http://rcsmart.com/bladeswood.html]Blades[/link]
they appear to be really close and are reasonable enough to gamble on.
The company wasn't sure if they would fit. ( thanks Heliko )

Some are spinning there own main shafts with titanium.

I heard that t-rex blade grips would fit. ( not sure )

I've also repaired blades and replace covering with mono-kote.

So what have you done or come up with.

I agree the CNC parts for this bird are way over priced

Heliko

Good idea for a thread MTFYR. Hey let us know how those blades work for ya. I haven't needed blades yet. I'm on my second set now and still have one more set in reserve. I'd still be on my first if not for an unfortunate encounter with the idle-up switch [:@]. I figured I'd be going through more blades, but I ended up going through grips instead.

Anyway I haven't done it myself yet, but as far as alternative parts go I've heard guys are using modified large knitting needles from Walmart as replacement tail booms and Blade CP tail rotors work well too. BTW I thought a catchier thread name might be "Substitute AXE CP Parts" or "Alternative AXE CP parts". I'm leaning towards the latter.

VBDave

Blade CP tail rotor blades are an exact match.

I wish I could give ya more, but I'm moving on to a HDX 450 soon so I'm not putting more $$ into this AXE. (After the gyro I just installed that is.. lol)

HardWyrd

Wow Cool site for the blades i havent ran across that one yet. i just got my axe cp yesterday and im all ready looking into putting carbon part on it. Let us know if recovering the blades work i would like to try it myself.

Thomasp168

You can use BLADE CP blades in the AXE. they're a little bit shorter, so your headspeed is up. I'm lifting off at below half throttle with a full charge (1320 LIPO). I use the flat bottoms, about 7 bucks a pair less than the AXE blades. the fit is a little snug, but they work great.

outtamyway

Blade CP flybar paddles are an excellent addition to the Axe. They are slightly heavier so they slow down the response for new pilots, and they lock in place so they maintain setup better during crashes.

Rotor13B

I'm thinking about trying the Blade Cp 4-1 to replace a bad 3-1 in another Axe. It's less than half the price of a Axe e-board and actually has a case around it for protection.

alienteabagger

I am using Blade CP main rotor blades... They are almost half the price of the stock Axe CP blades and fly just as good.

rwj

Let us know on the 4-1 if you try it

Scalegraphix

I'm using Plasti-Blades from JCS Hobbies. You have to trim the grip end a little bit, but they are alot more durable (and slightly Cheaper) than the stock ones!!

MTFYR

Well I got the new [link=http://rcsmart.com/bladeswood.html]Blades[/link] in. Not worth the time money.
They were shorter then stock and they were suppose to be 260mm. I had to
cut out one side of the plastic and shave the other to fit into the grips. The
2mm holes were in the plastic and not the blade. I had to fill the hole with
CA and drill out. I also got my new lipo batteries. So I balance the blades
and put everything together, crank her up, takes a little more RPM to lift off.
She seems to be flying good, I need to dial in a little tail trim, did I set it down
to do this, no, so thirty second into my flight with the new blades and batteries.
Slips side ways, one blade dust, and my new tail rotor housing broken. [:@][sm=crying.gif]

Heliko

I'm sorry it didn't work out for ya. []

biggin69

Bump...Has anyone else come up with anything else? I just bent my tail boom so I am going to try and replace it with something other than factory. What type of sowing needles are used that were mentioned earlier?

JJP9398

They are 14 inch 8mm knitting needles you can get at Walmart in the craft section.

StrykerIncognito

3in1 board replacements:

GP C-12 ESC - Tail Motor
Futaba GY240 Gyro - Tail Motor
GWS ICS-480 ESC - Main Motor

Servos:
Hitec HS-55's

It's also possible to make minor repairs to several parts with CA and assorted shop supplies and have them still be strong and operational. I've repaired my tail rotor with CA and packing tape, my stabilizer hub with CA and shrink tubing, trimmed main rotor blades over an inch or so in some cases, and rebalanced with electrical tape, etc.

markconsig

I've already put almost a bottle of CA into my AXE! Flies strong, even repaired the swash plate with it, TWICE!

JJP9398

I broke the little pole that sticks out of the back of the swashplate, I drilled a small hole and used a nail. Works like a champ.

StrykerIncognito

I just broke the little pin/pole off teh back of the swash this weekend, though, I think it happened from one of the flybar links slipping off due to wear and whacking it. I will try the drill and CA'ed Nail option and see how that works.. and probably replace the links with some spares I have and see if they're tighter.

I think my next list of investments, paycheck to paycheck, will be the whole CNC head pieces, one by one. My question is, if I want to go with more secure servo links, flybar links, etc, what are my options? I see some really nice ones out there for more expensive copters, but I'm not ready to go that route yet.

thestratcat

My Feedback: (12)

does anyone know if the tail motor from the blade CP will fit the Axe CP? we're talking a 15 dollar difference here! yikes!!!

Heliko

Probably not. I believe the Blade's tail motor is smaller. Did yours burn out? If so you could call Hobbico and they'll probably send you a new one.

thestratcat

My Feedback: (12)

I'd rather not deal with hobbico at all... I don't need anything that they have to offer... I'll just go buy a new one..

Heliko

Sorry to hear that Stratcat, but maybe you should take a look at [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5777081]this post[/link]. I've dealt with them a couple of times a while back and although they lacked intimate knowledge of the Axe they were willing to take it back for exchange or give me whatever part I thought was broke. I had a bad 3-in-1 and they sent me a new one. It took longer because I had to send the old one back, but a replacement tailmotor would probably get out to you in a week's time. I don't think they'll ask for the old one. Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to sell you on the company just save you a few bucks.

Good Luck!

thestratcat

My Feedback: (12)

I understand man... and maybe I shouldn't have thrown my 'tude out there on that one...

here's the deal.. in 10 minutes I'm heading out the door for lunch, I need a couple of parts anyhow, so I'm gonna run by hobbytown and grab them, I'm not acutally sure that it's the motor is part of not calling them, I'll go snag one, check it out and if it turns out to be the motor, this heli is less than two weeks old, I will call them and let them replace it and then I'll have a spare... (I'm into this whole spare parts thing, I carry more in my kitchen than most hobby shops in the area)

Heliko

Right on Stratcat, I've accumulated quite the spare parts inventory as well. Tail motors have a rather short life expectancy anyway so a spare is a good idea.

123Splat

Scalegraphix,

JCS now offers "Flat" blades for the Axe CP. Are those the ones you are using, or are you using the 'Blade CP' version (Flat or Symetrical)? The Axe versions are $20 or so plus 5 postage. Supposedly come in off-White, Black, or Yellow.