HeadHunter Update!

[dunkonu23]

It's time for another update.

I have received some metal parts from my machinist, but not enough to make a kit. The parts I received were to check fit. I believe, barring injury, illness, or death, my machinist should be able to start delivering production parts very, very soon. I don't have official word from him, but what I've received from him has fit the frames just fine.

I do want to apologize to everyone who is waiting for parts like the Big Balls Bearing Blocks and the Easy Mesh Motor Mount. Your patience has been legendary and please know that it hasn't gone unnoticed. I have each of your Personal Messages saved. I will contact you the moment I have parts.

Along with parts comes frame kits. Hang in there. All is not lost.

Scott

[Jerrymac]

Thanks for the update Scott. Hopefully all goes well and I can put a new 'carbon fiber dress' on my 425 this winter. ;D

My HeadHunter "500" flys great. I love it. Looking forward to rebuilding my 425 on a HH frame.

[dunkonu23]

Everyone,

Please remember, I will post updates on this forum regarding HeadHunter frames and parts as warranted. If you have questions about parts and availability, please just post here or ask me at [e-mail]. I will respond.

I just heard back from my machinist who has ensured me that he will be hitting it hard to get parts. There have been circumstances out of his control that caused serious delays.

I am not taking this task lightly. Rob (Nexgen on Helifreak and elsewhere) has been working with me to find alternative sources for parts. The bottom line is this: I can get parts cut at any number of sources, however neither you or I can afford them. Small runs are the issue--since this is a niche market, I need small runs. Small runs cost a lot of money. I don't think anyone, including myself is willing to pay $120.00 for a motor mount or $110.00 for a bearing block set. Those are my costs, too.

Think of the cost that would add to the frames? It would cost well over $1000.00 for a frameset, and frankly, if you spend that kind of money on a frame upgrade, you might as well just get an X5 or X7 and be done with it.

So, all of us wait. I do promise you I am working as hard as I can to bring these upgrades to the game.

Scott

[malcolm]

Hi Scott

What sort of volume and frequency of repeat orders are we talking here?
The Company i used to work for in the UK could easily produce what you would need and are tooled for short run precision CNC work.
If you get me some DRG's i could forward them and get a price and delivery for you, Being aluminium, shipping costs should be fairly low too.

Best Regards

[dunkonu23]

Malc,

I would say first run would be 16 of each part, except spacers which would be 64 parts. That gives me spares. I have no way to predict repeat business. I can only say, that if I had metal parts, I could sell six framesets right now.

PM me your E-mail address and I'll send you the drawings along with pricepoints.

Thank you , Malc!

Scott

[milliotseb]

Scott,
When production will be ready and details about products given, I might be interested by some of the metal parts or even maybe a frame

Hope it will get well soon

[dunkonu23]

I'm awaiting parts, still. I'll let you know the minute I get enough metal parts to ship kits.

Scott

[kavic5150]

Hey Scott. Any chance on getting my frame with the acrylic? If you wanna hang on to that particular frame since its a prototype I understand completely. Maybe I can get RDlohr to cut me some frame bits out of polycarbonate. That would make a killer night flyer.

[dunkonu23]

When I get metal parts, I'll have my CF guy cut you a clear frame. How's that sound? I know... wait... you have been saying metal parts are two weeks away for months... God, if only I could tell you just how frustrated I am. Everytime someone asks me it's always the same answer. I would love nothing more about this thing than to say, "I have more metal parts than I need...".

Scott

[kavic5150]

Thanks for the reply Scott. Really you do alot to help us in this mental illness of a hobby we share.

Does your CF guy have polycarbonate by any chance? Or do you think acrylic would be better since its less flexible. Either way I'm definitely interested.

Ok, nuff chatter. I going to buzz around the front yard now. Thanks again.

[dunkonu23]

I've got some news... Looks like some metal parts are on their way. I'll post when I get them and check them for fit and finish.

Scott

[dunkonu23]

Here's what I got in today.

Six ladder bearing blocks and four motor mount bottoms. More parts are on the way. It looks like there's light at the end of the tunnel!!

Scott

[Jerrymac]

That's good to hear Scott. Still hoping to convert one of my 425's to a HeadHunter frame. Would make a nice winter project.

I was planning on ordering an X5 lite soon, but I think I will wait now. To be honest, I think a properly equipped HH will probably fly just as good or better than the X5, although I don't have one to compare it with. I know my medium boomed, 500mm bladed HeadHunter flys awesome.

Can I also order some additional metal parts with mine? I need them to finish work on my ' HH-V2' frame idea.

[dunkonu23]

LOL! Sure... when I get a complete inventory. My priority is to get enough parts in stock to support kits and spares... though in my crashes, I've only broken two metal parts. So, yeah... things are looking up and I'll post updates. Hopefully, we'll get this "two weeks" thing over with once and for all.

Scott

[kavic5150]

Good to hear it. I'm getting this odd itch right where my wallet sits. ;D

[Jerrymac]

Oct 18, 2011 21:38:03 GMT -5 kavic5150 said:

I'm getting this odd itch right where my wallet sits. ;D

Hehe, I would highly recommend putting some of that "scratch" toward some 'carbon fiber porn' as soon as Scott makes it available, lol. You won't be disappointed.

If you haven't read it already, check out the 'revealing pics' in my HeadHunter build thread.

Seriously though, you will be surprised at how much more precise your Hurri will fly with the HH frames. The direct to swash servo arrangement is much better than the stock push-pull set up. The easy mesh motor mount is great, and the larger OW shaft bearings should last much longer than the smaller stock bearings. The battery tray also allows for quite a bit of movement to get the CG basically perfect. Best of all, the frame is very rigid and solves all of the gear stripping issues that people had with the plastic frames.

Too bad that we are not allowed to mention the HH frames over on Freak any more, due to a misunderstanding with a couple of the staff members there. Lots of new Hurri owners will miss out on a great upgrade.

[kavic5150]

I currently have spektrum ds821s on cyclic. Will these be up to the task going from push pull to direct to swash? Heres a link to the spektrum site:

www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdId=SPM3702

[dunkonu23]

I think those are what Jerry is using. I'm using Hyperion DS-20's or Align DS 610's.

Scott

[Jerrymac]

Scott is correct. I actually have the DS821's on the cyclic's of all 4 of my Hurri's, including the HeadHunter. So far I have not had a problem with any of them. Keep in mind that mine are all flybarred though, so I can't say how well they would work with a FBL set up.

I am not sure how much the blade size effects the servos though. My HeadHunter has the medium sized boom with 522 belt, running 500mm blades.
All of my other Hurri's STILL have the plastic frames and push-pull linkages. ( Hint, Hint, Scott, lol )

[dunkonu23]

If ANYONE knows of ANYONE who is capable of milling Aluminum in a timely, inexpensive way, please let me know.

My machinist has just informed me he is no longer able to assist due to health reasons. I do not want to stop this venture, so I need help!!!!

Thanks,

Scott