OK...I'm a complete newbie, and haven't even gotten the motor to run for more than a few minutes....

My question is: The blades fold back for storage, but how tight should they be when extended for flying? Should they be snug, but allow movement, and let G-forces take the rest? OR, should I extend them, and tighten? If I tighten, how do I make sure they are parallel???

I run mine pretty snug, so they are not loose enough to move on their own

How do you align them?? If they are not parallel, the thing will fly apart at 15oo rpm...

easy, you take off your blade holder, grab each blade in each hand, and pull them away from eachother, it gets them close enough to set it out and run up the engine, when they are spinning they take care of themself with the force

Thanks...that's what I thought...I will just eyeball it, and get them close, and let the G-Forces do their *thang* (Mariners - Kazu reference)...

The one time I got the motor running, it kind of shook a bit more than I expected, but seemed to smooth out after a short run up of the throttle.

NOW.....the starter belt broke (expected due to crack in belt), and I have to replace the belt...this involves dropping the motor a bit, and lipping the belt in there. To move the motor, I have to take out the needle....fuel mix now screwed...anyway....fun to mess with...

I use the shake test for main blades. Turn the heli on its side and give it a small shake. The blades should stay put. Give it a firm shake and they should flop over a bit.

If they are too tight, AND misaligned, would that cause MAJOR problems?

Well, if they were so tight that they would resist the natural centering caused by the rotation of the head, then you'd probably get a real good shake! Not recommended

Do the shake test and you'll be fine. You should have no problem folding the blades back for storage. If it's really hard to do this, or if you have to loosen the bolts to fold them back, you're definately too tight.

Note that many helis shake a bit when spooling up. Once rpms increase, the blades center and the shake should go away. Sounds like that's what's happening to you, so you're probably fine. Do I detect from your post that you are having engine probs? What are you running and how are you setting up the needles?

Well, the starting belt was cracked, and finally broke. That caused me to replace it, which involves removing the needle, muffler, and dropping the motor about 2". The removal of the needle is where I should have paid more attention. I just unscrewed it, and did what I had to do for the belt. I should have paid attention to how many rotations it took to get the needle out, and then replaced it with the same number of rotations, and the mix would have at least been close. As it is now, I am starting from scratch trying to get the mix just right.

BTW, it is an Enya Super Sport 35 Heli. in a Shuttle ZX with a JR NEJ-120S Gyro, and JR XF622 6-Channel Radio.

I run OS, but FWIW, I start at about 1.5 to 2 turns out from fully screwed down. Enya may be different, but getting the mixture right is really easy. If you want some tips let me know. I'm not sure how much engine experience you have so I won't bore you unless you ask.

Thank you guys for helping out .
This is what this Forum is all about..
Keep it up.... :thumbup:

I agree! I installed the new starter belt, followed everyones advice about the needle, and almost got it in a hoover first time out!!!

Now, I just need to practice, practice, practice!

fitenfyr, I'm on the North side, (Sultan) so Marymoore is the closest.

Thanks a bunch for the help guys....I may be asking more!

Thats what were here for bud!