3D Printed Skids Go Poof
Loren F.
All complete.
Not much to tell here other than I completed all soldering and painted the skid structure. I have now gone a bit further and built side baskets with support struts. The baskets were made of 3mm brass tube with SS 10 mesh covering. Mesh was mounted using copper wire tightly wound around brass tube and the SS mesh and then soldered. After soldering I trimmed off the copper wire and smoothed out the solder.
No more 3D printed materials for structural components for me. That was a frustrating and costly thing to deal with. I am now happy though.
The SS landing gear added 100g in total and the baskets added an additional 245g. I have been flying at 1350 RPM but will up that to 1450 to handle the extra weight. I flew it yesterday and found that it needs just a bit more authority in the cyclic. Even at 1350 it fly's nicely.
11 Comments
What a shame that happened but looking towards the mods
Wow Loren, that is awful to hear! I look forward to tracking progress on this. I think Vario should know about this. I converted your post into a chaptered story so members can follow your journey modifying the Vario design.
I will post follow up photos as I move forward. I'm not sad about it because its taking me to a place I have never been before. The hobby is expensive and we have to live with that part. The fun is finding and solving workarounds for development flaws or thoughts an individual might think is a better way. My most difficult time is waiting for material (skid material won't be here until around the 7th, hahaha.
I recently had to learn about silver brazing. I had never done it before but the main gear on my Mi-24 broke and I had no choice. It was amazing to weld it and have it work!
Like you, I had never done it before but it's just too cool to get it to temp, touch it with a bit of rod and watch it do it's magic flow (if you have a good tight joint that is).
Looking good so far
I have always wanted to build my own tube frame. Being a Sikorsky guy, the VS-300 has always sparker my interest.
Amazing workmanship. This has gotten me thinking.
Thanks for sharing,
B
If you decide to go that route there is a bit to learn about tube sizing. There are a few places where I could have gone lighter (thinner wall) and saved me a bit of weight and also would have made shaping a bit easier. I would be more than willing to share my experiences.
Great info. I am sure there will be questions about the process. Currently I am in the the midst of another project but the thought process begins long before, I need something to ponder during my...
B
Very nice work. Love it.
Butch
Very well done