Building techniques

[jander14indoor]

Spend some time reading back through the threads on this forum, its been covered. Then try more specific questions.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[aubrey048]

Okay. What dimensions of balsa wood do you guys use for the rotors and wings? I know blue cobra kind of answered this, but I need a really specific answer if at all possible.
My partners and I are trying to figure out what to buy . . .

[smartkid222]

If you are making a rotor that wll be covered with mylar or plastic then 1/16 x 1/16 balsa wood is most common.

[illusionist]

Okay. What dimensions of balsa wood do you guys use for the rotors and wings? I know blue cobra kind of answered this, but I need a really specific answer if at all possible.
My partners and I are trying to figure out what to buy . . .

BTW, for these helicopters, unless you are using a vertical surface to counteract the torque of the rubber, rotors are the "wings".
1/16 x 1/16 are teh best for the rotors. The motor stick sizes have been discussed in other threads on this forum

[aubrey048]

Thanks guys!!!

[illusionist]

I am going to try building my rotors from now on with a jig. I'm still experimenting with finding the right pitch. So, I plan on building a jig like this one: http://www.turnertoys.com/G1/parlorcopter.htm (scroll down a bit). Does anyone have dimensions that have provided a successful pitch?

[chia]

What sort of pitch have you tried? I think lower pitch might get you up to the ceiling, but depending on your rubber might use up your winds too fast, and higher pitch would, with too thin a rubber, not generate enough lift...? I honestly don't know if what I just said was utter nonsense, but that's my (possibly messed-up) understanding of it. Could anyone else please clarify?
Similar to illusionist's question, have wider or thinner rotors, "chord"-wise, worked best?

[illusionist]

I agree, too high of a pitch provides lots of thrust, lots of resistance, but requires a large amount of torque. A low pitch provides less resistance, less thrust, fast rpm, but uses up the turns very quickly (especially with thicker motors). I don't know what is ideal.

http://www.turnertoys.com/G1/parlorcopter-3.htm (scroll down)
^ There are dimensions for a jig. I've built a rotor with those, have yet to try it out. Btw, I'm using 3/16 rubber.

I wish there was a formula for this

[illusionist]

Should the lower rotor be set at a higher pitch than the upper rotor? I would think so, since it needs to move the air faster, that is already in motion due to the upper rotor.

[lllazar]

Both my rotors are same pitch, i think i'll try that though.