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Old 12-06-2010 | 06:56 PM
  #35  
Konrad
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From: Everett, WA
Default RE: Problems balancing wood props??

ORIGINAL: N1EDM

...and it all starts with a straight hole drilled in the center of the prop..
Rarely!
That is why you need a good pitch gage and prop balancer no matter what the props material is. Remember to true the blade pitch on each blade by sanding the back of the hub, Then make the front of the hub parallel to the back of the hub. Balance the prop as if it was a disk not just a beam. A balanced prop will stop in the balancer at any position, 360°. If it always stops with the blade horizontal you have a heavy hub! The prop is out of balance.

As for dynamic balancing (dual plane) it is not an issue as both planes (front and back) of the prop are relatively close to each other.

With the magic of todays smart cell phone one can find an App that uses the phone's accelerometers to measure the vibration of your running setup. With a little experimentation (changing the prop location relative to the piston or spinner) you can lower the vibration even more. The result is more power to the prop and a longer airframe life.

Just some ideas.

All the best,
Konrad

1st picture are the tools of the trade, 2nd is a balanced hand made prop, 3rd is an out of balance prop just put on the balancer, 4th is showing an APC prop after balancing the hub.
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