I finally got around to building a thrust test bench, like I said I would a few months go. Some ball bearing drawer slides, scrapwood, fish scale, etc...
So...the Kamdax, after having tested four different units, gives out fourteen ounces of thrust.
I tested the tuned pipe extensively...no increase in thrust. And no "sweet spot" where I can hear it coming up on the pipe. Very interesting. I need to work further on that.
The Kress rotor gives only 11 ounces of thrust. Wonder if it gives a higher exhaust velocity, though?
It did not occour to me at the time that I have a Kestrel wind meter in my field box that could have given data on that. But my ears were ringing anyway, that was enough for the day.
Testing engines is noisy and annoying.
Same test bench can be used for all my stuff, turbines, whatever, and it only cost $30 or to to put together.

Some of us like that kind of annoying though ET

I FINALLY built my Kamdax MIG this past weekend. Hope to test fly this weekend coming weather permitting. Is the other model available yet in North America? Tower Hobbies doesnt have anything but the MIG.. if this one flies as good as you say I probably will pick up a few more...

AJC

The Mirage is available here through a company called "Stuff We Like". Not sure about pricing, I got mine direct from Kamdax before SWL was involved. Tower won't be getting any more Kamdax stuff.
I have another mig NIB. I weighed the parts last night...if I am VERY careful, I can get 1-1 t-w. THAT would be fun!
Still wondering about why it will not come up on the pipe. Will have to investigate that further.
Also looking into getting a CS or other hot 06, piped, no throttle, and trying that. When I think about it, I don't really NEED a throttle.
Testing engines...yeah, SOME people like to get all greasy and have their ears ring, and even write about it, but personally, I can't STAND the process, I'll let suckers like YOU wear earplugs and wave tachs, I'll be busy building!

I bought a G&Z .049 last year at Toledo. Its supposed to be "the" current 1/2A speed engine, made by CS but ready to run, with pipe and nothing to modify. Wanna try it?? The Kamdax fan may not stay together though... ? Its supposed to be capable of +40,000 rpm with 50% nitro

AJC

Yes, please! I will try it out!
The rotor might NOT stand up...I'll wear goggles. The thing is...it may spin up to 40k on a toothpick of a prop, and do nothing of the sort turning the load of the rotor. Possibly that is what happened to me yesterday, just too much load.
I would like to send you this Fantom 16 car motor I got, I modded it for DF use with no luck last year, maybe you can do something with it, it was $250, and right now it's just a doorstop to me, maybe you can have some fun with it.

Dont think I will have time untill the fall for any new projects... but maybe next winter I can look at it...

I test ran my Mig tonight- Wildcat 30% heli fuel. Ran great! Allmost enought hrust to support its own weight. I cant wait to test it out

AJC

Give it some running time, the kamdax, four tanks or so. Take out one head shim.
My next project will be a Mig with a guaranteed 1-1 t-w, should be fun.
Just take the Fantom and do somethign with it sometime, it's yours to do with what you want. I sent it to Don Garry, who is an engine guru, and he thought it was overrated, but he did not play with it too much. It;s a car motor, so a lot of the "performance" may be high speed fancy anodizing. With cars, if you anodize something purple, it costs more and must go faster! Still, it's a screamer, and you might have some fun with it. Under the load of the Toki fan, I could not get it past 20k, maybe with a prop you will do better.

ET - I have run 4 - 6 tanks through mine on about 30% - is it time to remove a shim ? As mentioned before, performance is just adequate and it will not loop from level flight. Admittedly, I have only had about 3 flights!