RCU Forums

RCU Forums (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/)
-   RC Jets (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-jets-120/)
-   -   Aluminum servo arms too thick? (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-jets-120/11428153-aluminum-servo-arms-too-thick.html)

jzuniga 03-01-2013 11:35 AM
Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
Hello all...

I have the futaba aluminum servo arms that are on my jet. They're about an inch long and for some reason the sullivan golden clevises that are for 4-40 won't close enough to put the little keeper clip on? I've resorted to grinding down about 1/32 down off the arm... basically cleaned off the anodizing to get to bare metal and now the keepers go on. Is this safe? They still seem strong, but I'd hate to lose a jet cause the servo arms are fatigued? What metal servo arms are guys using w/ the sullivan gloden type 4-40 clevises? The stock FeiBao ones were too cheap and bent really easy! Thanks

Z

essyou35 03-01-2013 11:45 AM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
Usually, when I use metal servo arms I also use ball links. I cannot recommend clevises on a jet's control surface. I have had the little pins in the middle break off. With that said, I am sure it will be fine but just my .02

quist 03-01-2013 11:54 AM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
They make both thick heavy duty and thin arms. You can grid the arms down to fit the clevis.

DrScoles 03-01-2013 12:12 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
I use the futaba metal arms on everything. do my best to avoid clevi (is that plural for clevis) ;) Ball links are much more secure, however you may have to cut the hatch covers wider since they leave a bigger foot print.

My buddy has some hardware on his tomahawk futura that is SWEET. Little metal clevis with a bolt, very nice.

jzuniga 03-01-2013 02:50 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
Thanks guys... I figure the grinding down a little bit would be ok ;-)
For what it's worth, I've never had any problems with the Sullivan golden clevises and I've seen dozens of RC Jet guys' use them with no problems...

Z

PaulD 03-01-2013 03:33 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
Jamie,

You are fine. The MOST important part is to ensure the clip is installed which you are doing. There was a big thread where a guy lost a jet because of one of these clevises braking. Turns out he did not use the clip I think for the reason you have had to grid down the arm. Sullivan stepped up and did a bunch of testing to verify and posted the results. There is nothing wrong with these clevises if applied properly.

PaulD

PaulD 03-01-2013 03:35 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
Here's the thread:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11..._1/key_/tm.htm

PaulD

jzuniga 03-01-2013 03:42 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
Thanks Paul...

Z

hooker53 03-01-2013 03:50 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
Jamie. I file mine if I go that way but don't grind them till they get hot. You can make them soft by heating them up to much.

jzuniga 03-01-2013 04:03 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
ORIGINAL: hooker53

Jamie. I file mine if I go that way but don't grind them till they get hot. You can make them soft by heating them up to much.
Good to know... like I said I just lightly grind w/ my dremel and it's just about 1/64-1/32. I don't think they get hot at all, but I'll keep that in mind from now on...

Z

rcand 03-01-2013 04:35 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 

ORIGINAL: jzuniga

Hello all...

I have the futaba aluminum servo arms that are on my jet. They're about an inch long and for some reason the sullivan golden clevises that are for 4-40 won't close enough to put the little keeper clip on? I've resorted to grinding down about 1/32 down off the arm... basically cleaned off the anodizing to get to bare metal and now the keepers go on. Is this safe? They still seem strong, but I'd hate to lose a jet cause the servo arms are fatigued? What metal servo arms are guys using w/ the sullivan gloden type 4-40 clevises? The stock FeiBao ones were too cheap and bent really easy! Thanks

Z
If you need a metal servo arm for strength, then you should use a quality ball link. A friend of mine just had the pin in a Sullivan clevis break inside of the hole in a horn on an aileron. Luckily saw something odd when it was on the grounds before flying.

Boating Bob 03-01-2013 04:46 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
Metal swiveling on metal no lubrication. Hum

DrScoles 03-01-2013 05:15 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 

ORIGINAL: Boating Bob

Metal swiveling on metal no lubrication. Hum

Plastic swiveling on metal, bolted to G10/carbon.... :D

killerG 03-01-2013 07:05 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
On the Futaba servo arms the ones that are measured in inchs are the thick ones which are .122 thickness. The Metric servo arms are thinner at .083 thickness. Don't know why there is a difference between them. I always buy the metric ones, the clevis will fit these without any problems.

airraptor 03-01-2013 08:23 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 

ORIGINAL: rcand


ORIGINAL: jzuniga

Hello all...

I have the futaba aluminum servo arms that are on my jet. They're about an inch long and for some reason the sullivan golden clevises that are for 4-40 won't close enough to put the little keeper clip on? I've resorted to grinding down about 1/32 down off the arm... basically cleaned off the anodizing to get to bare metal and now the keepers go on. Is this safe? They still seem strong, but I'd hate to lose a jet cause the servo arms are fatigued? What metal servo arms are guys using w/ the sullivan gloden type 4-40 clevises? The stock FeiBao ones were too cheap and bent really easy! Thanks

Z
If you need a metal servo arm for strength, then you should use a quality ball link. A friend of mine just had the pin in a Sullivan clevis break inside of the hole in a horn on an aileron. Luckily saw something odd when it was on the grounds before flying.

Then he didnt use the hardware correctly or maintain his equipment. Go READ the thread posted in this thread. You will see how strong those sullivan golden clevis are!!!

Bill Hatcher 03-01-2013 09:05 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
I use a lot of these in the planes that I build. Never had any problems with them.
I can't get the photo to up-load so here is the link.
http://www.swbmfg.com/products/Futab...or-Clevis.html

jzuniga 03-01-2013 09:58 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 

ORIGINAL: Bill Hatcher

I use a lot of these in the planes that I build. Never had any problems with them.
I can't get the photo to up-load so here is the link.
http://www.swbmfg.com/products/Futab...or-Clevis.html
Are those 4-40 Bill?

Z

RCFlyerDan 03-02-2013 06:40 AM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 

ORIGINAL: essyou35

Usually, when I use metal servo arms I also use ball links. I cannot recommend clevises on a jet's control surface. I have had the little pins in the middle break off. With that said, I am sure it will be fine but just my .02
+1

Bill Hatcher 03-02-2013 06:46 AM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
The arms from SWB come with the Dubro Plastic clevis but you can use the sullivan as well.

jzuniga 03-02-2013 08:35 AM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
ORIGINAL: Bill Hatcher

The arms from SWB come with the Dubro Plastic clevis but you can use the sullivan as well.
I like those, what I meant is, are the rods 4-40 size? The rods from the servo arm to the control surface?

Z

Starfighter 03-02-2013 09:56 AM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 
Re. "Bloating Bob's" comment about metal swiveling on metal... No problem here, as the servo arm is Aluminum and the clevis pin is Steel. The Aluminum is softer and will not cause the clevis pin to gall or seize.

rcand 03-02-2013 02:04 PM
RE: Aluminum servo arms too thick?
 

ORIGINAL: airraptor


ORIGINAL: rcand


ORIGINAL: jzuniga

Hello all...

I have the futaba aluminum servo arms that are on my jet. They're about an inch long and for some reason the sullivan golden clevises that are for 4-40 won't close enough to put the little keeper clip on? I've resorted to grinding down about 1/32 down off the arm... basically cleaned off the anodizing to get to bare metal and now the keepers go on. Is this safe? They still seem strong, but I'd hate to lose a jet cause the servo arms are fatigued? What metal servo arms are guys using w/ the sullivan gloden type 4-40 clevises? The stock FeiBao ones were too cheap and bent really easy! Thanks

Z
If you need a metal servo arm for strength, then you should use a quality ball link. A friend of mine just had the pin in a Sullivan clevis break inside of the hole in a horn on an aileron. Luckily saw something odd when it was on the grounds before flying.

Then he didnt use the hardware correctly or maintain his equipment. Go READ the thread posted in this thread. You will see how strong those sullivan golden clevis are!!!
I disagree. He is a very well known jet modeler in this country and south america and I know the stuff was maintained correctly. It simply broke.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:23 PM.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.