wood props

wood props
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Pylon Universe - RC Pylon Racing >> QM-40 Racing >> wood props

Page: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 next > >>

Login

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

wood props - 2/28/2007 11:13:15 PM

Posts: 110
Joined: 6/19/2005
From: Lockport, NY, USA
Status: offline

What blanks do guys use to make wood props. Do they modify an existing prop or carve one from a solid chunk????? I have some terry prather f-1 props, can those be used for q-40. want to make some of my own props just for ****s and giggles, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

RE: wood props - 2/28/2007 11:54:06 PM

DHG

Posts: 896
Joined: 4/24/2002
From: Arvada, CO, USA
Status: offline

Jeff,

The Terry Prather F1 props could work well, at least for giggles as you say. The best blanks I've found are the Rev-up 8-3/4" x 6-3/4". Keep the length between 7-1/4" and 7-1/2", pitch at the tip between 7-1/4" and 8-1/4". Don't thin them too much, balance carefully, wear polycarbonate glasses, etc.

Mr. Raider of the Lost Art

(in reply to burgster)

RE: wood props - 3/1/2007 4:26:13 AM

Posts: 110
Joined: 6/19/2005
From: Lockport, NY, USA
Status: offline

Thanks for the help!

Jeff

(in reply to DHG)

RE: wood props - 3/1/2007 11:42:01 PM

iamtom

Posts: 96
Joined: 4/30/2006
From: Cincinnati, OH, USA
Status: offline

The following is from Craig Grunkemeyer regarding wood props and blanks;

"The Zinger 8x7 stock #204. The pitch is about 95% as we run on our props.
Last year at Phoenix I turned a 1:01 with one of the Zingers. (Old Motor)
Hub is a little thinner than I like (.410) never had a problem with the old motors at 24,000+."
CG
There was also an article written back in 98 to 99 by Vern Smith. He put to paper how to carve props as suggested by Grunk after he set the record. Our props have changed very little over the years. They still work very well and we had no issues at Phoenix last week . Each of us ran the one prop the entire contest. Between the two us we have had the QM-40 record for the past decade. They work well but do take a little effort. I spent some time talking to Bill Vargas about prop making and his efforts paid off as he saw his personal best time with wood. But then he left us.
Tom

(in reply to burgster)

RE: wood props - 3/2/2007 1:49:53 AM

Posts: 1576
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Team Coldies, CA, USA
Status: offline

Hi Tom, nope,,, I didn t really leave, I just took a time out right after I lost my last Q40 with my best wood prop,,, HEE!

I still have all my notes about the time we chatted about them,,, even made a few more just for the PHX Race,,, But then heard about the new engine a few days before and coupled along with not being able to get the time off from work,,, things just didn t go my way. Even if I did get the time off, I probably wouldn t have gone because for me it was just to short notice on those new engines to try and get it dialed up.

So until I hear some good news again about the LS and props,,, I can wait for Dave and Fred.

I'd try some wood but not really sure on what measurements to use or go by???

BV

_____________________________

If it ain't leaking oil, then something's wrong,,, USMC, RETIRED!

(in reply to iamtom)

RE: wood props - 3/2/2007 3:25:53 AM

iamtom

Posts: 96
Joined: 4/30/2006
From: Cincinnati, OH, USA
Status: offline

Bill,
I was hoping you would chime in. Your notes are still good. Keep workin it! As always, alittle tweek here and there.
Tom

(in reply to Bill Vargas)

RE: wood props - 3/3/2007 6:06:59 PM

Posts: 110
Joined: 6/19/2005
From: Lockport, NY, USA
Status: offline

Thanks Tom! I will be racing the CAPS races this year. I will try making some and maybe you will be able to tell me what I did wrong and give me some pionters, if and when I see you at the races.
Thanks,
Jeff Burg

(in reply to iamtom)

RE: wood props - 3/3/2007 7:38:20 PM

iamtom

Posts: 96
Joined: 4/30/2006
From: Cincinnati, OH, USA
Status: offline

I'll be there Jeff.Happy yo help.
Tom

(in reply to burgster)

RE: wood props - 3/4/2007 4:45:50 AM

Posts: 281
Joined: 1/11/2002
From: Prescott Valley, AZ, USA
Status: offline

How much lighter (pitch-wise) do wood props have to be for the LS? What is target ground RPM?

(in reply to iamtom)

RE: wood props - 3/4/2007 2:00:58 PM

iamtom

Posts: 96
Joined: 4/30/2006
From: Cincinnati, OH, USA
Status: offline

As mentioned before, our woody's have changed little over the years. So with that said, we still use a progressive pitch configuration with pitch angle at station 7 set at 8 to 8 1/4. Rpm's in the same range as the plastic props. Around 25,500 on the pinch. I can only speak of our experiance at the Phoenix race. I'm sure there is more to learn about with the props and the LS . I won't say it dosen't take a bit if skill in crafting these props but with some trial and error it can be rewarding. It is worth it , We buy planes painted in the mold, engines that run well out of ther box raidio's that work flawlessly and it takes little effort to prepare a racer these racers. The only other things that can make a difference is practice and prop choice. With plastic props your choices are limited but you can race with the same $10 prop everyone else has. Practice is a biggie. So if you can get to the top and want to have an edge of any sort these 2 components can make the difference. Draw your own conclusions.
Tom

(in reply to Tony Pacini)

RE: wood props - 3/4/2007 3:59:20 PM

daven

Posts: 7086
Joined: 12/7/2001
From: Andover, MN, USA
Status: offline

Tom,

What kind of tools would you recommend for working on props. I have some extra time right now, without a workshop, and it may be kinda fun working on some woodies to play with this summer. I have some blanks that I got from Darrol, a pitch gauge, Darrols prop template for the tips, and a tool to let me know that both blade lengths are the same. What I'm really interested in are the carving/sanding tools that are used, and any info on how to get started?

IF you want to take this offline, feel free to email me at quickee500@yahoo.com, or give me a call.

Thanks,

_____________________________

Dave Norman

klasskote.com
supertrc.com

(in reply to iamtom)

RE: wood props - 3/4/2007 5:59:40 PM

Posts: 1576
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Team Coldies, CA, USA
Status: offline

One of the best ways I found to make a wood prop was to copy a black prop. Then make your own adjustments and tweeks on others to get 23.5K RPM with the older engines. Besure to keep notes so you can duplicate it.

BV

_____________________________

If it ain't leaking oil, then something's wrong,,, USMC, RETIRED!

(in reply to daven)

RE: wood props - 3/4/2007 6:35:48 PM

daven

Posts: 7086
Joined: 12/7/2001
From: Andover, MN, USA
Status: offline

What kind of carving tools / sanding blocks are you using Bill?

_____________________________

Dave Norman

klasskote.com
supertrc.com

(in reply to Bill Vargas)

RE: wood props - 3/4/2007 8:15:00 PM

Posts: 2889
Joined: 12/29/2001
From: Brantford, ON, CANADA
Status: offline

quote:

What kind of tools would you recommend for working on props.

Prop Molds.

I wish I could use them,

Ed S

(in reply to daven)

RE: wood props - 3/4/2007 11:07:10 PM

iamtom

Posts: 96
Joined: 4/30/2006
From: Cincinnati, OH, USA
Status: offline

Some hobby shops sell 2"wide rolls of yellow sandpaper with an adhesive back 80 and 120 grit. Cut a few 4 to 6 inch strips of 3/32 or 1/8th 5 ply plywood 1/2 " wide and apply to both sides. Do the coarse work with the 80 grit and rough finish with the 120. this is mostly on the front surface, the airfoil side.Use a single edge rasor blade or an x-acto knife to establish the pitch angle on the back side. If you use the Zinger or other blanks you may not have to do much with the back side. Finish sand with 220. Soak each blade in C/A thin glue a couple of times sanding with 400 between applications and after final sand with 600 polish with Mothers metal polish which will polish the blade and leave a coating of wax. Make sure to balance befor you apply the C/A and dbl. check after finish is complete. If you don't have the yellow paper just use dbl. face tape and your favorite sandpaper.
Good luck,
Tom and Grunk

(in reply to Ed Smith)

RE: wood props - 3/4/2007 11:13:26 PM

iamtom

Posts: 96
Joined: 4/30/2006
From: Cincinnati, OH, USA
Status: offline

Ed,
You could use your prop molds. Your props would work very well for run up props and for very safe break-in props. If you cut the prop to peak the old engine to say 27K rpm maybe 28K on the LS you can reliably check your motors from motor to motor or race to race. These props being made of continuous carbon fiber they are very durable and safer than the APC plasti, good to well over 32K rpm. These would not be flying props.
Good luck,
Tom

(in reply to iamtom)

RE: wood props - 3/4/2007 11:51:46 PM

Posts: 1576
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Team Coldies, CA, USA
Status: offline

Dave, Tom covered it for you

What I like to do for that last little tweek for pitch is to use a good heat gun before I apply the coats of CA,,, thanks to Mike Del Ponte for showing me that tip

Heat the prop blade nice and hot, to point where you are getting that burnt wood smell. For example,,, if your wanting the pitch to be a 5 and the prop is 4.5, twist the hot blade past 5 and let it cool. It now be a 5 when its cooled off(it might take a couple of tries to get the pitch you desire).

For a bigger change in pitch,,, do as Tom suggests above.

To increase RPM, sand the tip back about 1/32 on each blade till your target RPM is reached. I liked mine between 23.5K to 24K with the old engine.

Again, use a 7.4 X 8 black prop as a guide and you won t go wrong

BV

< Message edited by Bill Vargas -- 3/4/2007 11:53:21 PM >

_____________________________

If it ain't leaking oil, then something's wrong,,, USMC, RETIRED!

(in reply to iamtom)