pwterry

Now, this was not exactly what could be called a scientific experiment, because I did a couple of other things at the same time: I reduced the pitch of the flat bottom blades I'm using, and modified the detent on the Tx throttle stick to produce some resistance, but no detent (ratcheting). In addition, I found some up/down play in the main shaft and corrected same.

The results of all of the above:
I can lift the heli to 6 in. and it stays at that altitude, lift it to 2 ft. and it stays there. I do believe the spring is helping to stabilize the collective, while not hampering the cyclic. It's a whole lot easier to hover when the thing's not going up and down like it has a mind of its own.

In addition, I've found the Sweet Spot in the Gain and Porportional adjustments. I first turned the Gain up until I got "tail wag", then turned it down just enough to stop the wag. Having noticed that the Porportional seems to act has a rudder trim, I centered the rudder trim and then adjusted the Porportional until the heli didn't tend to turn while in hover. Once in hover, I can now let go of the throttle stick long enough to adjust trims.

rbiasi

To do that mod you had to get the swashplate off of the main shaft. Was there any resistance when you removed it. I'm trying to replace my main shaft/gear (I took a chunk out of the gear in a crash...). When I try to remove the swashplate it gets stuck at the hole for the pin that holds the rotor head. I managed to get the swashplate off, but I cannot get the shaft past the bearings. It sticks at the hole. Just wondering if this is normal or if the main shaft got bent a little when I crashed. Although there is no visible bend.

pileit

There's usally a small amount of metal or "burr" at the hole. Take a small jewelers file and polish the area at the hole.Your LHS or hardware store should have them.

pwterry

Actually, no. The spring is above the swashplate, between it and the rotorhead (the rotorhead holds the blades).

I have had the main shaft and gear out of a HB2. I kept sanding the pin hole area with very fine sandpaper until the bearings would slide over it.

rbiasi

Wow, I totally misunderstood your mod. I'm glad that you replied before I tried it.

I got out the jewler's files and some sandpaper this evening. After a little clean up I was able to get the shaft past the bearings! Thanks for the help guys!

Now if my "priority" parts order would get here I'd be back in business.