Swift solid main shaft(s)

[oldeflyer]

Does anybody have the length for the various Swift main shafts?
I just got one in for the 620 that is 5mm shorter than the one that was on there. It does say CNE608 on the bag, though. Did Century change something again without telling anyone? :(
I know that there are two solid shafts for the 16, one marked 'S' and one marked 'SL'. Post searches showed the 'SL' one was for the third bearing upgrade.
What size does the 550 use?
Thanks

[laughingstill]

The 550 and the 620 have identical frames and front sections so I assume the SL is the one you want. I can measure it for you when I get home tomorrow if someone does not do it first......Ron

[oldeflyer]

Thanks, Ron, I would appreciate that.
The two, CNE508S and CNE508SL, are what were released when Century came out with the solid shafts and then the third bearing block. The 620 has a different part number altogether, CNE608.

Just did a little digging on the Century site. The 550 manual just calls out the CNE508 part number, but the site section for 550 replacement parts calls for the CNE508SL.

The only reason I care is I have to adjust the links for the shorter ones (if they are the 'new' ones) for level and I don't want to have to readjust them later for a different shaft.
I have ordered 530 woodies from Heli-World and gottem 520's in a package with a Century 520 label.

[rotoraddict]

The shaft you need for the 620 is the SL. I am sure the short one you got was packaging error.

I do not know why they sent you the 520's if you ordered 530's unless you did not use part numbers. I believe the stock 520 woodies are the CNE548's and the 530 woodies are some of the general purose blades that are the CN2321 part number.

On monday I would call and ask for Antonio or Eliot, I fould them to be two of the more knowledgeable staffers they have.

[oldeflyer]

The blade comment was just for example. Simple mistakes in packaging happen all the time.
I don't thinnk the 'SL' is what goes in the 620. Why give it a different part number if it was the same shaft?
That's why I was wanting the lengths of the different shafts. I'd like to make sure my 620 gets back to it's original specs.. :)
I believe I will take your advice though and call the vendor.

[oldeflyer]

Well, then...
It appears that Century has done it again. After talking with Heli-World support, the current 620 shaft IS 5mm shorter than the original; the same as the 'SL' (third brg or 550). A 16 shaft (hollow or solid) is 190 mm, the 'SL' is 200 mm and the CNE608 was 205 mm. 'Too many parts in the bin'. So they cut out the 205 mm length one. 620 flyers need to watch for short replacement shafts, they will need to re-level their rotor head parts.

I can see their reasoning but don't ubderstand why they don't let people know.

Whatever the length, they are still soft. I tried them out with one screw on the top collar and both the new ones were gouged from the set screws, just like the old ones.

[Cyclick]

Most of the shafts on my much bigger nitro and gas powered helis are made of a steel that is soft enough for the allen screws in the collars to score. They seem to be the same steel that the Swift's shafts are made of.

When you crash, the energy has to be dissipated somewhere. If more of it is absorbed in bending the softer shaft, it will keep other things that are harder and more expnsive to replace from breaking.

[oldeflyer]

Cyclick,
That sounds good but the hollow 16 shafts bend too, and they have a very hard exterior. They don't score at all when you put the set screws in and the one-way doesn't seem to dig into them either.
I don't crash as much as I used to, and I haven't hit a tree in two years :rolleyes: . Main shaft replacement due to material concerns is just a pain, is all.

[jamesppp]

I have only used the shorter, hollow shafts im my Swift 16 but the cup head set screws do score them. I have never seen any damage on them from the OW bearing though.