APC Props...Balancing  
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Questions and Answers >> APC Props...Balancing
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APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 2:31:24 AM   
OldRookie


 

Posts: 654
Joined: 12/11/2001
From: Prior Lake, MN, USA
Status: offline 		I just bought 4 APC props and checked them before reaming the prop shaft hole to size. Two of them were 12 X 6, 1 14 X 8, and 1 15 X 6. All three would balance with the blade level, but if the prop is turned 180 degrees it always rolls over to the same position. This would indicate that the hub is heavy on one side.
What is the best way to get these props balanced? It is difficult removing enough material to get them to balance.
What do you use to balance the APC props?
I use both a High Point balancer, and the Great Planes magnet balancers.
I've also tried repositioning the prop on the balancing shaft to make sure the shaft is straight. Same results.

Greg
       Post #: 1

RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 2:43:56 AM   
The Ghost



Posts: 914
Joined: 3/18/2004
From: UlladullaNSW, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		Check out APC Props Should have all the info you require. I have had no problems with balancing APC props from 8" right up to 22" sizes.

Cheers,

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RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 7:13:15 AM   
OldRookie


 

Posts: 654
Joined: 12/11/2001
From: Prior Lake, MN, USA
Status: offline 		There is nothing on the site about balancing APC props, unless I missed it.

Greg

(in reply to The Ghost)
       Post #: 3

RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 7:46:07 AM   
Spicoli


 

Posts: 474
Joined: 1/31/2002
From: TERRACE, BC,
Status: offline 		I would just shave a little off the heavy side of the hub or add a little epoxy to the light side.

(in reply to OldRookie)
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RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 12:57:16 PM   
Stick Jammer



Posts: 2251
Joined: 11/21/2002
From: Crete, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Personally, I wouldn't shave anything off the hub. If it balances horizontally you're fine.

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RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 3:13:32 PM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19981
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: offline 		Ditto, don't shave the hub. As long as it's even close you shouldn't have any problems.

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AMA# 42400 www.gettingairborne.com

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RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 3:15:03 PM   
joeb102072



Posts: 1074
Joined: 6/17/2003
From: Coventry , RI, USA
Status: offline 		depending on how much off balance it is I try to shave a little off the heavy side making sure to stay as even through the entire length. Then if its really bad I add a little self stick mono to the back of the light side cutting it until it balances. I have 2 props on planes like that and havent had an issue with it comming off yet.

(in reply to OldRookie)
       Post #: 7

RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 3:23:23 PM   
Ed Smith


 

Posts: 2854
Joined: 12/29/2001
From: Brantford, ON, CANADA
Status: offline
quote:

Personally, I wouldn't shave anything off the hub. If it balances horizontally you're fine.



Sorry. not so.

If the prop always stops horizontally it is out of balance and the shaft hole is probably off centre. A balanced prop will stop in any random position on the balancer.

I can speak only for the APC props I use. The center hole is drilled after molding and not necessarily true to the molded prop. I do not use this hole for balancing or on the engine. I drill this hole out larger than my prop shaft. On the props I use there is a molded counterbore on the back and front of the hub. These counterbores will be true to the hub and the blades. I use these molded diameters for balancing. I slip a bushing in the rear c/bore that is a slide fit on the engine shaft.

If one is serious about balancing props then there is only one way to do it. That is to balance both the blades and the hub.

Ed S

(in reply to Stick Jammer)
       Post #: 8

RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 3:38:37 PM   
daveopam



Posts: 4416
Joined: 10/10/2002
From: ELK CITY, OK, USA
Status: offline 		I don't know if it will effect the balance, BUT, I found most of my APC props arn't flat at the hub. The seem to be high were the blades leave the hubs. I sand this area flat before I balance them.

David

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(in reply to Ed Smith)
       Post #: 9

RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 4:20:24 PM   
OldRookie


 

Posts: 654
Joined: 12/11/2001
From: Prior Lake, MN, USA
Status: offline 		What method do you people use to remove material from the prop?
I've used sand paper or a blade to scrape material. I didn't really care for either.

Greg

(in reply to daveopam)
       Post #: 10

RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 5:33:51 PM   
saramos



Posts: 2303
Joined: 12/6/2003
From: Northridge, CA, USA
Status: offline 		There is some info on prop balancing on www.masterairscrew.com . They also sell a balancing and drilling jig for balancing a prop without shaving the blades. I haven't used it, so I cannot comment on how well it works.

Scott

(in reply to OldRookie)
       Post #: 11

RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 5:41:24 PM   
DadsToysBG



Posts: 1598
Joined: 7/31/2003
From: Bowling Green, KY, USA
Status: offline 		The way i use is to paint clear nail polish on the light blade on the inside. Can't be seen and won't change the shape of the blade. Dennis

(in reply to saramos)
       Post #: 12

RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/30/2004 8:01:39 PM   
joeb102072



Posts: 1074
Joined: 6/17/2003
From: Coventry , RI, USA
Status: offline 		Thats a really good idea. I think its better than epoxy doesnt take as long to dry and goes on thinner sounds like a winner I will have to try that.

(in reply to DadsToysBG)
       Post #: 13

RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/31/2004 3:27:15 AM   
Stick Jammer



Posts: 2251
Joined: 11/21/2002
From: Crete, IL, USA
Status: offline
quote:

If the prop always stops horizontally it is out of balance and the shaft hole is probably off centre.


Huh? If you place the prop in a horizontal position on the balancer and neither side falls, flip it 180 degrees and do the same, the blades are balanced well enough, nobody said to spin it and see if it stops horizontal. If the shaft hole is out of round or off center there are other issues. Removing any material from the side of the hub for balancing purposes is not the best idea as it can severely weaken the prop where the most stress is. Not knocking anyone's personal method but balancing a prop doesn't need to be that complicated. As long as the hole is not buggered up, a little clear lacquer in a spray can is all that you need.

(in reply to Ed Smith)
       Post #: 14

RE: APC Props...Balancing - 7/31/2004 4:44:28 AM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19981
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: offline 		ok let settle a few things about balancing...

1) If a prop were perfectly balanced, you could set it to any place on a 360 degree plane and it will stay there. It will not rotate to a horizontal, vertical, or any other position. It will stay exactly where you stop it.

2) You will NEVER get a prop to balance perfectly. Don't believe it? Try this little experiment: Spend a few hours getting a prop perfectly balanced, then remove the prop from it's holder, and place it back on the holder in a different position. Place it back in the balancer, and I guarantee that it will no longer be perfect.

3) There was a recent article stating that if you place a slightly UNbalanced prop in the correct position on the engine, the unbalanced prop will actually REDUCE vibration by cancelling out some of the vibration caused by the piston.

4) Don't ask me what that position is, because I don't know.

5) I don't know because it just doesn't matter. I have been flying for 45 years and I have balanced 2 props. Never saw any reason to ever do it again.

Bottom line: As I said before, if it's close, it's fine.

_____________________________

Mike B.
AMA# 42400 www.gettingairborne.com

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others." - Grouc