Mod for Picoo Z Mini Helicopter

Step 6 Installing the new shaft & bearings

I used a 1/8" drill bit to enlarge the holes (by hand) in the rotor bearing mount, so that it would accept the 3MM O.D. ball bearings. Once the bearings are in place take the new rotor shaft and place one of the flat washers on the short end and slide it up against the drive gear. Now slide the shaft in through both bearings, a small amount of the shaft should be sticking out at the bottom bearing. Place the second flat washer over the end of the shaft and press the brass collar on last with a small amount of the CA glue. Make sure everything is moving freely and then allow the CA to setup/cure.

Comments

[zuliani71]

Hi I'm trying to drill the hole for the ball bearings. I've the 3mm drill bit that comes with the ball bearing kit that I've bought on internet. I've a lot of difficulties to drill the hole also by hand. Do you have any suggestions? Bye David

[fireballxl5]

The best suggestion I have is to just take it slow, it didn't end up perfect, if the bearings are slightly loose, you can carefully apply a little glue to hold the bearing in place. Just be sure not to get any glue into the bearings. I did read about one mod where they replaced the plastic support with an aluminum tube, but I don't have any details.

[zuliani71]

Ok, but what you mean "by hand"? Do you lock the copter in some way during the drilling? Bye

[fireballxl5]

Sorry, I should have been clearer, in this case "by hand" is literal, I didn't use power tools. I held the heli frame in one hand and the drill bit in the other. I wrapped a little bit of tape around the end of the drill bit to give my fingers a better grip. It was slow going, and the hole wasn't perfect, but it was good enough to hold the bearings.

[zuliani71]

Ok, done :-) at last I've my holes and the ball beraing are fitting perfectly. One more answer about the glue. I've a cyanoacrilic glue and its made up of 2 components. What you suggest to me in applying the glue to lock the ball bearings? Bye David

[fireballxl5]

I applied glue (a non-mixed type, but that shouldn't matter) to 3 places on the CF shaft; 1) to hold the white plastic gear to the CF shaft, 2) to the rotor blade assembly and 3) to the small brass collar at the bottom. The brass collar is the last item to install and I put a small drop of glue on the end after pushing the collar onto the CF shaft. I let each glued piece setup (dry) completely before gluing the next one and testing (applying power). Once I was sure that it would hold together I finished putting the body back together. Hope this helps.