Are they worth it? I had them on, but took them off recently because I thought I was going to send my Phantom in for repair. Should I reinstall them back on or nah?

A. Leaving them on could protect from possible shell cracks. I don't know this to be true, but that is what they claim.

B. Taking them of could result in possible shell cracks.

I think you can make that call yourself.

Also, I just realized that I might have sounded like a jerk in that response. Not my intention. I am just helping you rationalize. I personally do not use them, but in 4 Phantoms I have not once had a shell crack. I have seen pictures of folks that do, so if I already had the reinforcements, I would probably use them anyway.

No worries. I had them installed but took them off. Just not sure if I should install them back on or leave it as is. Not sure if they do what they're advertised to do . I would assume it would add extra strength under the motors.

Cabralkev Posted at 2016-1-12 22:17
No worries. I had them installed but took them off. Just not sure if I should install them back on o ...

I'm using them and feel they should distribute the loads around the motors significantly. I'm pretty certain they will prevent cracking in that area.
I did see another brand available that also looks good. But I know the Strong Arms and their new screws fit correctly.
BTW: I wouldn't use the available prop protectors because I'm sure they would add additional stress to the shell. Just don't fly inside and you really don't need them outside anyway. (IMO)

Rnfaust Posted at 2016-1-13 00:39
I'm using them and feel they should distribute the loads around the motors significantly. I'm pret ...

You're using the strong arms as well? I got the white ones. Did you use nail polish for loctite? I did with mine it worked well. I suppose I will install them again

What does strong arm reinforcement plates look like?

SlowPoke Posted at 2016-1-13 01:35
What does strong arm reinforcement plates look like?

This is what we are talking about:

Cabralkev Posted at 2016-1-12 23:25
You're using the strong arms as well? I got the white ones. Did you use nail polish for loctite? I  ...

I did use a little bit of blue medium Loctite on the motor screws. It says it won't harm plastic.
I got the black ones to match my painted P3A. I don't think there is any downside to using them.

SlowPoke Posted at 2016-1-12 23:35
What does strong arm reinforcement plates look like?

Look at:
http://www.uavbits.net/collectio ... einforcement-plates
I've seen another brand as well, but this is what I use. Simple concept and apparently very effective. I'm happy

I'll install them tonight. We are suppose to tighten the screws until 'snug' right? Not over tighten it by torquing

Rnfaust Posted at 2016-1-13 11:01
Look at:
http://www.uavbits.net/collections/motor-reinforcement-plates/products/strong-arm-reinfor ...

How long have you had your Strong Arms installed for?

Cabralkev Posted at 2016-1-13 19:28
This is what we are talking about:

can you repost the pic, its blank

For me it's better to balance propellers instead of using reinforcement plates, I think dji should include in every phantom a balancing kit as preventive maintenance

Cabralkev Posted at 2016-1-13 00:17
No worries. I had them installed but took them off. Just not sure if I should install them back on o ...

I wouldn't use nail polish.....don't know for sure but I think the shells are high density polystyrene and nail polish does play nice with it

greenbean Posted at 2016-1-15 10:46
I wouldn't use nail polish.....don't know for sure but I think the shells are high density polysty ...

I think you meant to say, "...does NOT play nice with it"  

I heard to use nail polish instead of blue loctite. What would nail polish do to the plastic then? I know blue loctite eats at the plastic.

Also I was told to use nail polish as threadlock. It's safer than blue loctite.

Cabralkev Posted at 2016-1-15 15:03
Also I was told to use nail polish as threadlock. It's safer than blue loctite.

Don't put anything on the 2 screws that anchor to plastic - the new plates work as lock washers. The 4 center screws go into the metal motor flanges so Loctite is appropriate. You don't need much-that's for sure.

mariano76 Posted at 2016-1-15 06:40
For me it's better to balance propellers instead of using reinforcement plates, I think dji should i ...

Either/or - both is even better.

Cabralkev Posted at 2016-1-13 23:36
How long have you had your Strong Arms installed for?

I installed them 3 months ago as a preventative measure. I had an unfortunate crash the first month of flying which bent the motor end of the shell. I used a heat gun to straighten it. There was no adverse affect and no cracks. I felt the Strong Arms might be a good addition after my repair.
Still no cracks - guess I got a good one!

Rnfaust Posted at 2016-1-15 18:32
Don't put anything on the 2 screws that anchor to plastic - the new plates work as lock washers. Th ...

Is nail polish bad for the plastic? I used it though. Hopefully it doesn't eat at the plastic. I heard blue loctite will

The person who makes the strong arms suggest nail polish and I used it on mine and haven't had any issues

Cabralkev Posted at 2016-1-15 17:11
Is nail polish bad for the plastic? I used it though. Hopefully it doesn't eat at the plastic. I h ...

UAV Bits (StrongArm) recommends nail polish. I use nothing on the plastic connections and Loctite 242 on the metal motor screws (not much).
Loctite says on their website not to use it on plastic (I believe I complied by using very little at the end of the motor screws and wiping off the excess.)
They make Loctite 425 for metal and plastic, but it's crazy expensive. Probably for industrial use. DJI does put some type of blue locker on their screws though - maybe it's the 425.

I used blue Loctite.  DJI seems to use it also.  All of the screws I removed had it (or something that looked like it) on the threads.

Rnfaust Posted at 2016-1-15 21:07
UAV Bits (StrongArm) recommends nail polish. I use nothing on the plastic connections and Loctite  ...

Yeah I was going to mention that. UAV Bits suggests using nail polish for thread locking when installing their product. That's what I did, applied some white nail polish on the tips of the screws. Then screwed them in. I removed the plates a month ago though, haven't got around installing them back on. So when I put the factory screws back on, I never used any nail polish on them. Just left it as is. Noticed some blue loctite on the factory screws though from DJI. Maybe they're pre-treated blue loctite?

I assume if the nail polish did any damage, the factory screws wouldn't be able to screw in? It would keep spinning right?

Cabralkev Posted at 2016-1-15 19:48
Yeah I was going to mention that. UAV Bits suggests using nail polish for thread locking when inst ...

You're the test case. Keep an eye on them.
I really think the ones that matter are the motor screws and they screw into metal. They are also the ones most benefitting from Strong Arms and the ones you can use Loctite on (IMO).

Rnfaust Posted at 2016-1-15 22:04
You're the test case. Keep an eye on them.
I really think the ones that matter are the motor screw ...

I feel like a ginnie pig lol. Well the factory screws tighten fine. No issues. So I suppose the threads in the plastic didn't get eaten away by the nail polish.

Rnfaust Posted at 2016-1-15 15:46
I installed them 3 months ago as a preventative measure. I had an unfortunate crash the first mont ...

I tried to remove the two shell screws on one of the arms on my dji P Std. but none of my 2mm drivers will fit.  However ,the 2mm drivers I have will fit the motor screws.  I also tried the next size down from 2mm and it is too small.  Any suggestions on what size driver is required for the shell screws?  

Thank you.

Chuck

goldchucker.wav Posted at 2016-1-22 16:02
I tried to remove the two shell screws on one of the arms on my dji P Std. but none of my 2mm driv ...

I found out that the screws in question are Torx #8 so I orderd the proper driver.

Cabralkev Posted at 2016-1-15 22:12
I feel like a ginnie pig lol. Well the factory screws tighten fine. No issues. So I suppose the th ...

The screws that hold the shell together are threaded into a metal insert embedded into the plastic.

Elmer Fudd Posted at 2016-1-22 19:41
The screws that hold the shell together are threaded into a metal insert embedded into the plastic ...

Thank you.  That's good to know as plastic is easily stripped out.

Chuck