If you’re into building RC Electric Helicopters from kits, then why not build a few of the tools you need to make them fly? This is one of the easiest – you’ve probably got all the parts you need at home.
A level swash is essential – if it’s ‘off pitch’ all sorts of problems can happen with the cyclic and collective. Although it’s possible to buy swash plate tools quite cheaply, swash plates for Electric Helicopters come in so many shapes and sizes that it might be hard to track down the right one for you.
So why not make your own?
For this, you will need:
• A large metal or plastic washer, big enough to sit on the swash plate, without obscuring the ball links. Try hardware shops.
• Strong double sided tape.
• A tool to cut the washer – for metal, a rotary power tool is best, but be careful!
• 2 micro spirit levels. The best kind comes in a square plastic casing – perfect for this job.
• A bench spirit level.
TIPS: Most discount stores offer mini spirit levels at cheap prices which are perfect for the job. Also, you could have a go at cutting your own washer from flat plastic, if you can’t find one suitable for RC Helicopters.
First, you need to cut your washer into a ‘C’ shape. This means you can slide it over the swash plate without removing the head unit from the shaft. Not essential, but well worth doing.
Measure the diameter of your shaft and then cut a notch that’s just a little wider than this on the inner edge of the washer. About 1/5 of the total washer area.
Check the surface you’re working on is totally level, using the bench spirit level.
Place the mini-levels at 90 degree angles to each other on the washer, making sure they sit perfectly perpendicular to the bench.
Use the double sided tape to anchor them to the washer – you may have to resort to a glue gun at this point. You can, at a pinch, wrap electrical tape around the washer and mini levels. However, this will cause uneven ridges underneath the washer. Unless you can be absolutely certain the washer is still totally even throughout its 360 degrees, avoid this method.
And that’s it. To be fair, there are cheap swash plate tools available now for a wide range of RC Electric Helicopters. All the same, this is an excellent method and you will truly be able to say your kit built helicopter was custom made.