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e-BEAM Beam E4 > Bean E4 Build: Comments, questions and suggestions for Beam USA
 
 
StrangeRanger
Veteran
Location: VT

So I just finished my build and have some comments/questions/suggestions. For the most part the E4 kit is great. Nice quality materials and nice packaging. The "instructions" are very basic, just pictures and I would not say this is a great kit for a new heli builder.

Questions for fellow E4 owners:
- How were your ball links? Mine sucked. I think I had 1 that actually fit well w/out tweaking, squeezing, sizing.
- How well did the little mounting tab that your tail bell crank attaches to fit? Mine was sketchy. I like the screw going through the boom to keep it from twisting, but I had to tighten the screw down more than I felt comfortable doing to get rid of any wiggle. I just didn't sit right against the tail case.
- Did you use the little boom brace "support"? If so, did you CA it in place? It just looks like it'll slide around and rattle. Looks like an adjustable COG adjuster to me
- Do your washout links (item E4-1310)appear to be "backwards"? Like, they're supposed to pop on to the ball from the other direction, but the way they go on the washout don't allow it.

Suggestions for Beam USA:
- Mention somewhere in your text the tools you'll need. I was lucky enough for some reason to have 2 small nut drivers on hand that would reach inside the blade grips. If I was a new heli builder or simply didn't have that extra tool to get in there that would be very annoying to have to put the build on hold and buy another tool to get in there.
- Ball links: scrap the mold you have and try again. They suck. I've built about 40 helis and these are the worst fitting links I've ever seen. Also, include a couple extra at least in the kit. You gave a little bag of screws but no links, wtf?
- Just a suggestion, and my personal preference, but please don't build up any of the parts in the kit. It's an inconvenience to take everything apart to double check loctite or whatever was used/done properly.

Overall I was super impressed w/ this little heli. It's wicked smooth and I can't wait to get it flying. Should finish the radio set up tonight and be zoomin' her around. Thanks Beam USA!
j
05-05-2008 02:43 PM
 
 
PU2VGA
Heliman
Location: Puteaux - France

Well, from what you've written I just have one comment.

The ball links on mine were as bad. I had to replace a couple and work on some others to have the commands smooth. Reason why I have started a post earlier about this subject. I do think that the ball links should be revised/replaced.

In my kit nothing was assembled, so I had to take care of everything.

For the rest of your comments, I did not feel any bad in regards to the points you stated.

I hope you enjoy its flying as much as I did with mine.

Eduardo

T-REX 450S GF / T-REX 500 GF / BEAM E4
05-05-2008 03:09 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
SandyEM16
Heliman
Location: Enid, OK

The ball links are designed to go one way.. If they are too tight, you should use a resizing tool to make then almost fall by their own weight.. I made my own tool by gently making 2 grooves with a wire cutter on a spare ball and screwing the ball onto a spacer.. It just takes a couple of hand twisting rotations and it is done.. The links themselves will last well..

Concerning the 5.5 mm nut drivers, you can use some long needle nose pliers or hemostat and grab the other nut in the blade holder while you use the one nut driver you have on the other side..

The washout links were by design, meant to go on hard and backwards to further prevent them from popping off during hard manuevers..

I have not glued the spacer on the tail supports.. It doesnt move or rattle once it is installed.. There is enough friction to keep it in place..
05-06-2008 04:45 AM
 
 
StrangeRanger
Veteran
Location: VT

Sandy you kind of missed my point, or maybe I didn't make my point clear. I'm well aware of how to re-size ball links and had the tools to get that second nut, but a "newer" builder might not. I've built and set up a lot of helis and I'm well aware they all take some tweaking, but someone new to the hobby might not.

The Beam kit is very nice and the heli is getting rave reviews and this info will be the reason someone new to the hobby will pick one up. And they will have issues. I think I read somewhere that an actual manual is coming, that is good. Hopefully they address things so folks new to the hobby will enjoy their Beam as much as the rest of us do.
j
05-06-2008 03:58 PM
 
 
Jetleaf
Heliman
Location: Concord, N.C. - U.S.A.

StrangeRanger makes some valid points. Iam perfectly delighted with my Beam and will buy another Beam in the future I'm sure. However, in light of the fact that one of Beams selling points is "No Upgrades Needed" some cnc tail servo mounts would have been nice instead of the plastic ones. Also the paint quality on the canopies needs improving especially if you are going to charge $40 for one. If they were only $20 I wouldn't have a problem with them.
05-07-2008 03:26 AM
 
 
PU2VGA
Heliman
Location: Puteaux - France

Jetleaf, I do not know if when you talk about canopies you refer to this one below...





Cause mine was top quality in terms of paint job although I still think it is a bit expensive.


Eduardo

T-REX 450S GF / T-REX 500 GF / BEAM E4
05-07-2008 06:56 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Justin911
Senior Heliman
Location: San Diego, CA - USA

Good points you have there. I really didn't have too much trouble with the beam building it. If I ran into a problem it was because I didn't tlbuild it right. The ball links are tight on this kit and the manual suggests a ball link sizer.

For those looking at a beam or currently building one, go watch finless build vids of the beam on helifreak... They are awesome, informative, and also address every issue you mentioned.

Btw, the washout arms are supposed to go that way from the factory... Keeps them from popping off. This is also mentioned in finless' vids.

Beam Team
DHW
Beam E4
T-Rex 500CF
05-07-2008 08:11 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
StrangeRanger
Veteran
Location: VT

I know why the washout links are backwards and all the other stuff I mentioned, I'm just saying NEW heli guys might be confused. Some documentation for less experienced builders would be nice.

Btw, did you guys get servo mounting screws in your kit? The "manual" mentions them but I didn't get servo mounting screws or the little silver "washers" the "manual" mentions.
j
05-07-2008 02:44 PM
 
 
PU2VGA
Heliman
Location: Puteaux - France

Nor did I...

I had to work out with some leaft-overs I had from Align kits.

Eduardo

T-REX 450S GF / T-REX 500 GF / BEAM E4
05-07-2008 02:57 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Justin911
Senior Heliman
Location: San Diego, CA - USA

No one is getting the servo mounting screws in the kit.. There is hardware in the spare screws bag that you use. Just grab 4 of the black machine screws and then for the elevator servo use the two spare nuts and two screws that work with the nuts. I think they are silver screws.

Finless also mentions this in his video about servo mounting. Every problem he mentions is in here so far. I suggest that's where alot of beginners go to help them build their heli..

Beam Team
DHW
Beam E4
T-Rex 500CF
05-07-2008 07:29 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
StrangeRanger
Veteran
Location: VT

Quote 
Finless also mentions this in his video about servo mounting. Every problem he mentions is in here so far. I suggest that's where alot of beginners go to help them build their heli..

What about all the people who don't have a high-speed connection, or connection at all for that matter, who can't sit and watch some video? What about the guy who thinks "Dang, I just spent $XXX dollars on this thing and they can't even document it?"

I'm simply mentioning things here because a lot of folks prefer to read up on things before they purchase. They like to see what others have to say. They like to post questions. They like to use their mind and noodle through it. Not simply sit and watch some video. The videos people post, while helpful to a point, are hardly ever updated. They never allow anyone else's input. They never mention kit revisions or things that change from one kit to another as some folks experience. Just my opinion, but I think some others would agree.
j
05-07-2008 08:43 PM
 
 
brianr058
Heliman
Location: Sacramento, CA

5.5 mm nut driver

yes that tool is not the easiest to find,Infact I still haven't found one. has anyone tried the trex feathering shaft? I think it's the same size. If so life would be a lot easier!

livin Inverted
05-07-2008 11:06 PM
 
 
Jetleaf
Heliman
Location: Concord, N.C. - U.S.A.

Quote 
Jetleaf, I do not know if when you talk about canopies you refer to this one below...
Cause mine was top quality in terms of paint job although I still think it is a bit expensive.


Eduardo

Eduardo, the canopy I had spoke about was the orange one. They must have stepped up their quality standards since the one I have was painted. Good to know. I agree they are still to expensive.
05-08-2008 01:41 AM
 
 
Justin911
Senior Heliman
Location: San Diego, CA - USA

strangranger, have you ever watched his videos? They are step by step build videos in which he points out issues along the way.

I do understand your point, but many will also agree with me about his videos.

Beam Team
DHW
Beam E4
T-Rex 500CF
05-08-2008 07:15 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
gullie667
Veteran
Location: Raleigh, NC

I have had to replace my T-rex ball links several times, on my old 450, 600n and 600e. A less than loose fit on the ball links doesn't bother me a bit. Inevitably, they will ware into a perfect fit. Plus even with the snug fit the head and linkages on my Beam where not difficult to move in the slightest.

I rather have the Beam ball links than the extra slop from Trex links 2 months old.

Gullie

Helicopters - 1000 parts flying in formation.
05-08-2008 01:30 PM
 
 
Harbuckle
Heliman
Location: Kirkland, WA

Wiha 5.5mm nut drivers work great for getting the feathering shaft out. They have a very thin wall and are the only nut drivers I've found so far that actually fit inside the blade grips.

-Korey
05-11-2008 06:56 PM
 
 
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e-BEAM Beam E4 > Bean E4 Build: Comments, questions and suggestions for Beam USA
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