ServoCity Tech Tips
Our techs are always working with customers to help negotiate the world of R/C and robotics. Along the way, they've picked up tips here and there, and they want to share their knowledge! You can find an entire list of some of our recent tech tips at: https://www.servocity.com/html/tech_tips.html
Another use for flat snips
As hobbyists, we all have our favorite tools that tend to get used more than others in the toolbox. Some even get used for intentions other than what they were designed for. One of our common misused tools is the flat snips. These snips work just fine cutting wires, zip ties and other small items, however they also work well removing brass pinion gears from servos, and even tightening up ¼†diameter aluminum standoffs. Our brass servo pinion gears have a broached spline that is a very snug fit when going onto the servo. This does mean however that it’s a bit difficult to remove the servo pinion gear from the servo if needed. Using the flat snips, you can grab down in two valleys of the gear and wiggle the gear back and forth to remove it without damaging the gear or the servo. The tool can be used in a similar fashion to hold an aluminum standoff from spinning while tightening the screws. The jaws behind the cutting surface are smooth so that they will not mar the surface of the standoff.
Links: Flat Snips
Choosing the screw head type that best suits your project
Choosing a screw head type comes down to two key factors; space limitations, and driver type. Servo City screws either use a Philips or a hex driver. The hex system allows more torque to be applied to the screw without inward force. The risk of stripping the head is minimal when using the correct size driver. Philips heads on the other hand require inward force when applying and have some risk of stripping. When considering space requirements, the socket head screw has the smallest diameter followed by the pan head. If head clearance is limited, the flat head will create a flush surface, but the hole will need to be countersunk. If countersinking isn’t an option or isn’t required, the truss head has the lowest head height followed by the pan head.
Links: Fasteners and Hardware
Choosing a battery connector style
As the R/C market has grown so has the selection of battery connectors. Tamiya connectors used to be the norm for R/C batteries and ESCs however as the market has progressed, higher amperage connectors became a necessity to handle the current demanding brushless motors. When choosing a connector style, be sure that the connector is capable of handling the amperage that your motor or electronic device can pull. Tamiya connectors are still a very common power connector and they work great for applications requiring less than 10A. For larger and more demanding applications a Deans (Ultra) connector would be a better fit. Deans connectors make a solid connection that is less restrictive and more tolerable to heavy amp loads.
Links: Wire Connectors & Accessories
Pre-tinning wires when soldering
When soldering on small components it is a good idea to pre-tin wires and connectors. Pre-tinning will reduce the amount of heat applied to the electrical component when making the connection, thus protecting the component from becoming too hot and becoming damaged. It also reduces the amount of solder required which makes for a cleaner and less bulky solder connection.
Links: Wire Connectors & Accessories
Our techs are happy to help! Call 620-221-0123 or email tech@servocity.com
Our techs are always working with customers to help negotiate the world of R/C and robotics. Along the way, they've picked up tips here and there, and they want to share their knowledge! You can find an entire list of some of our recent tech tips at: https://www.servocity.com/html/tech_tips.html
Another use for flat snips
As hobbyists, we all have our favorite tools that tend to get used more than others in the toolbox. Some even get used for intentions other than what they were designed for. One of our common misused tools is the flat snips. These snips work just fine cutting wires, zip ties and other small items, however they also work well removing brass pinion gears from servos, and even tightening up ¼†diameter aluminum standoffs. Our brass servo pinion gears have a broached spline that is a very snug fit when going onto the servo. This does mean however that it’s a bit difficult to remove the servo pinion gear from the servo if needed. Using the flat snips, you can grab down in two valleys of the gear and wiggle the gear back and forth to remove it without damaging the gear or the servo. The tool can be used in a similar fashion to hold an aluminum standoff from spinning while tightening the screws. The jaws behind the cutting surface are smooth so that they will not mar the surface of the standoff.
Links: Flat Snips
Choosing the screw head type that best suits your project
Choosing a screw head type comes down to two key factors; space limitations, and driver type. Servo City screws either use a Philips or a hex driver. The hex system allows more torque to be applied to the screw without inward force. The risk of stripping the head is minimal when using the correct size driver. Philips heads on the other hand require inward force when applying and have some risk of stripping. When considering space requirements, the socket head screw has the smallest diameter followed by the pan head. If head clearance is limited, the flat head will create a flush surface, but the hole will need to be countersunk. If countersinking isn’t an option or isn’t required, the truss head has the lowest head height followed by the pan head.
Links: Fasteners and Hardware
Choosing a battery connector style
As the R/C market has grown so has the selection of battery connectors. Tamiya connectors used to be the norm for R/C batteries and ESCs however as the market has progressed, higher amperage connectors became a necessity to handle the current demanding brushless motors. When choosing a connector style, be sure that the connector is capable of handling the amperage that your motor or electronic device can pull. Tamiya connectors are still a very common power connector and they work great for applications requiring less than 10A. For larger and more demanding applications a Deans (Ultra) connector would be a better fit. Deans connectors make a solid connection that is less restrictive and more tolerable to heavy amp loads.
Links: Wire Connectors & Accessories
Pre-tinning wires when soldering
When soldering on small components it is a good idea to pre-tin wires and connectors. Pre-tinning will reduce the amount of heat applied to the electrical component when making the connection, thus protecting the component from becoming too hot and becoming damaged. It also reduces the amount of solder required which makes for a cleaner and less bulky solder connection.
Links: Wire Connectors & Accessories
Our techs are happy to help! Call 620-221-0123 or email tech@servocity.com
