E5 Canopy grommets fit

[jabull]

Guys, I'm working through the build and it seems that the pre-drilled holes in the canopy a a little small for the grommets. Prior to doing the obvious thing and enlarging the holes a bit, thought I would do the next obvious thing and ask if this is common?

[Chris Sexton]

Yes, this is on purpose. The canopy vendor put the starter holes in the right general position, but for best fit, it is required that you ream the holes to best fit your helicopter.

Unfortunately, the canopy molds do tend to differ a bit one canopy to the next. If the holes were fully reamed out prior to fitting the canopy to the heli, you could have fitment issues.

[jabull]

Thanks Chris!

[BrianE]

From Page 56 of the E5 manual:

Note - Canopy holes may need enlarged to
approximately 8-9mm in order to correctly install
the canopy rubber grommet

[curmudgeon]

I use the Dynamite reamer http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/89_1596_2046/products_id/125885/n/Dynamite-Knurl-Handled-Reamer.  It works really well with an appropriate price tag.  It also comes with metric measurements on blade, so you get a good idea of how big the hole is getting as you are reaming into the canopy.  This reamer works much better than using a drill or a Dremel for this purpose.

Although I am happy with this Dynamite reamer, I would consider the less expensive ProTek reamer http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/89_1596_2046/products_id/212259/n/ProTek-R-C-TruTorque-Body-Reamer, as it is cheaper and I have been very satisfied with the ProTek products in the past.

[jabull]

From Page 56 of the E5 manual:

Note - Canopy holes may need enlarged to
approximately 8-9mm in order to correctly install
the canopy rubber grommet

LOL.. How did i miss that?  Oh yah, my wife will say because I'm a man

[flyalan]

I always test fit before reaming the holes. Usually a little adjustment fore or aft is required on at least one pair of holes. I use and exacto knife to elongate the hole in the direction needed and then finish with the reamer.

Alan

[jabull]

Thanks Alan, i just did the back holes, and saw your post so ill check fitment with canopy sitting on heli before doing the front.

[flyalan]

You are welcome. I am we'll versed at fitting a canopy. I have twice as many canopies as helis. They call me a canopy whore. Probably true :-)

Alan

[mrc3]

From Page 56 of the E5 manual:

Note - Canopy holes may need enlarged to
approximately 8-9mm in order to correctly install
the canopy rubber grommet

LOL.. How did i miss that?  Oh yah, my wife will say because I'm a man

Don't you hate it when vendors hide important information in the instructions <sigh>

Mike C.

[jabull]

If the vendors would just throw a stack of pictures in the top of the box or hide the instructions in advertising for new heli upgrades...

[Rodney Kirstine]

LOL, hiding them in new heli advertising...

[Greg Jackson]

Many disagreed, but I used a spyderco byrd series knife to ream.  I only used the tip and went slowly, but if worked for me.  But I have also taken several knife classes as part of my martial art so I might be a little safer with a knife than most.