newguy05

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Just looking to try some different props and i was wondering who usually has the best props. Im looking for a 16x6. Atm ive tried a 17X4 a dynathrust 16x6. The 17x4 flew too slow for my likes at 8700 rpm and the dynathrust flies good at 9300 on a os 120 fs III. Should i stick with the dynathrust or go with a apc 16x6 or some other prop to get the same rpms. I was also looking at going with a xoar or other good wooden prop but cant find alot of info about them. Please post any suggestions or personal experiences with tach readings. Thanks

Hobbsy

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Graupner

mjderstine

what size or prize range are you looking for?

Metslik props are great. APC is probably a safe inexpensive way to go. you can easily spend $50 on a nice CF prop, that break after one bad landing.

most APC are less than $10 each for that size

newguy05

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its on a ucd3d 60 size that im trying to find a good match for. The 17x4w apc proved to be a little too much for my likes on the speed of the engine at only turning 8700 rpms. im trying to find info on xoar props and how they compare to apc rpm and thrust wise but im not having much luck. A 16x6 is prolly the best size for me to go with so if you know of any good props out there that are this size and will turn around 9200 on a os120 fs then post watcha think. thanks

Jim Thomerson

Buy whatever props you can find around the right size and flight test them to find one which best suits your engine, airplane, and flying style. Save the rest as they will probably be the best for some other combination.

XJet

Way back (in the 1980s and before), store-bought wooden props were really only much use for stirring paint and when the APCs came out we marveled at their performance in comparison to those "old fashioned" and inefficient wooden props.

And that's the way I figured it still was, right up until a few months ago.

I had always used the APC 12x4 on my 40-sized 3D profiles because it gave better performance than any of the other options (I tried everything on the market including the other APC (11.5x4W, 12.25x3.75W, etc but the 12x4 was best).

Then, I figured I'd try one of the 12x4 Volk wooden props I'd bought solely as backups (because they were dirt-cheap, under $2 each).

Wow, I was astonished! These wooden props were just so much better than any GRP prop (including APC and Master) that it was like running an extra 20% nitro.

Unfortunately, the Volk props are no longer available being made in China, I suspect they were knock-offs of better known props such as Xoar (because they look identical). Even so, I'd rather buy a Xoar than an APC because they're just so damned good.

I'd say therefore, do not underestimate the benefits of a *good* wooden prop and Xoars are pretty damned good!

mjderstine

are you looking for outright speed or thrust? that can have a big difference.

newguy05

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well its on a u can do 3d 60 size so more thrust than speed, i found with the 17X4 it just really flew way too slow for my taste, just having to fly at between half and 3/4 throttle for comfortable speed. the 16x6 really helped with that as i was flying comfortably around just below half throttle and got about 13 minute flight time instead of 10.5 minute. so yes something with a 6 pitch will probably be the best for me.

newguy05

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also where should i order a xoar prop from if i decide to try one? i dont want to pay a arm and a leg in shipping for a 13 dollar prop.

CustomPC

I can't help you much on the 16" props but i will have the figures for APC and Xoar 15x8 props on a Saito 125 after this weekend.

The xoar prop looks magnificent so i'm hoping it works well. I have to use the 15x8's for prop clearance.

Rcpilot

My Feedback: (78)

If the 17-4 was too slow and the 16-6 feels about right, I think you should try and find a 16-5. The lower pitch will slow down the top end a bit, but you'll wind up faster and throttle faster from idle or lower throttle.

I'm using my first Xoar prop this year. 24-10 on a 75cc engine. Flies the plane out of sight, but the motor is rich since it's brand new. I'll tach it after a couple gallons and it's tuned up a bit more.

Zinger makes a 16-5 and a 16-6.

It's not so much the brand of prop that counts. I like APC props for the little .46 .52 and .75 engines. But I've used the big ones on 50cc gas engines and I think they totally suck. All they do is make a lot of noise, but not much thrust. I had an APC 22-10 on my World Models 80" Patty Wagstaff and G62 engine. The APC was obnoxious and the plane wouldn't even hover. I switched out to a bunch of different wood props and the plane would hover and punch out of sight straight up with every wood prop I had. That was about 50 wood props, from 3W, Menz, MSC, NX and so on. All the popular wood props were put to the test against the APC 22-10 and every one of them made it look silly in comparison.

The BEST thing to do is knuckle up and buy a bunch of props in the various sizes that will fit your engine. Then try them all and see which one makes the plane fly best. Just because prop A turns more RPM then props c, d and k does not make it better. You are flying 3D and you want THRUST. Flying around 1/2 throttle (a little less) at top speed for the airframe is about right. That leaves room for pulling out of a hover.

In 2005 I spent a LOT of money buying all the different sizes of props from all the manufacturers. I run 50cc and 60cc gas engines a lot, so I only needed to buy the 20-10, 20-12, 20-14, 21-8, 22-8, 22-10, 22-12, 23-8, 23-10, 23-12, 24-6, 24-8, 24-10 and 24-12. That narrows it down, but it was still a lot of money when you consider I bought at least one of those from every manufacturer. I got a zillion props lying around now.

Each prop will perform differently on a different plane. What works good for the Edge 540 with Fox 3.2 won't work as good in the Pitts with the Taurus 52. They all fly different. If you really want to know exactly which one flies your U-Can-Do 60 with 120 4-stroke, then start buying lots of props. I guarantee you'll find ONE or maybe two props that work REALLY well with the combo. Save the rest of them for after you wreck the U-Can-Do. You'll put another airplane behind that 120 engine and you'll need to experiment with props to see which one works best. But you don't have to buy them all again. You already have them in the shop. Now you can just buy one or two if you break them. Trust me, it works. Experimenting with different props opened my eyes a LOT

newguy05

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ok well that sounds like good advice. I know that my lhs carries pro zinger wood, evolution, apc, master airscrew and maybe a few others so i may just run buy pick a few up, as for the xoar i dont really know who carries them or where i can get them. online stores ive seen have them for like 16-19 dollars and down to 12 but then the shipping is around 8 so im putting out anywhere from 20 to 30 for 1 prop. any ideas of the best place to order from? thanks.

digital_trucker

It really all depends on the application. I have a preference for Graupner because they always perform great for me (plus they're durn near indestructible). I wish they'd bring back the Top Flite Super M's too.

newguy05

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also the 16x6 i was using is a dynathrust, buddy of mine had it kicking around ive never personally seen one before. It instan trottle from 1800 to 9200 in a split second, has good vert performance but couldnt test the hover capability being so windy as it was. roll out on take off was about 4 feet and the engine only has about 5 tanks through so its still breaking in. thanks

mjderstine

have fun

Flyer95

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IMO these are the best prop choices for your engine and plane.
APC 15x6, 16x4W or 16x6
For wooden MenzS 15x6 or 16x6

newguy05

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ok so how does this sound, order a menzS 16x6, apc 16x6, xoar 16x6 and if those dont work ill get a graupner 16x6 if im able to find one. Now i just need to find a retailer that carries those three props or even just the xoar and the menzS. I really think 15X8 will be too much pitch and 4 not enough and its hard to find a 5 pitch so ill stick with the 6. when i said the best prop i meant what prop pulls the hardest aswell as swinging decent rpms at the same time. Like apc 14x6 and ma 14x6 both turn 9300 on my mag 91. but in the air the apc is way better than the ma.

bawls

Keep us posted!

bawls

Which props have you tached so far on your OS 120?

Flyer95

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I use APC 18x6w and MenzS 18x6 on my Saito180. The MenzS turns higher rpm and pulls harder than the APC. But APC IMO is still a good, stronger and quiet prop. for everyday use.

newguy05

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so far the only two props i have tached on the engine are the 17x4w apc and the 16x6 dynathrust (dont know much about the prop). The 17x4w turned 8700 rpms on the ground but made the engine sound like it was loaded to heavy, then with the 16x6 it was very quiet and had good performance and tached a max of around 9600 on the gound befor i richened it for flight down to 9250 rpms.

Flyer95

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I use a APC 15x6 on my Saito125 on a UCD 60 and really like it. Tried the APC 16x4w and like it to but 15x6 gives more speed and more fun. Pulls out from hovering pretty good.

Flyboy Dave

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.....I use mostly wood or plastic props....[sm=72_72.gif]

anuthabubba

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You could cut back the tips of the 17~4W and try the different (16.5~4W, 16~4W) diameters.

Terry in LP