Sooooo, I know this is a nice ez question with a simple answer. Wood or Nylon prop- what are the advantages of each, disadvantages, etc. And on an entirely different note, is there any prep work that should be done to nylon props? I just got a couple of m-a props, and they have some really sharp edges, and a lot of moulding flash. Should I smooth 'em off, or just leave 'em be?

TIA,
Andy

For beginners, you can't beat Master airscrew. They are tough, hard to break and they work great. Take the sharp edges off with sand paper and they work perfect.

Balance that prop with a chopstick. Works wicked well

Wood props-disadvantage is that they are more likely to break in the event of a prop strike such as might occur during a bouncy landing. Its a good idea to dull sharp edges on nylon props and to balance all props.

a651, if you please, go to an older Forum named Raining Airplanes!!!!! , find post #5 by a nice guy named JimRoss, and you will see what a sharp plastic prop can do to you ( or somebody else ), and I have seen worst. Be extra carefull with those Nylon or Fiber props, I rather loose two bucks, than loosing one finger. If you dull the edges with sandpaper that will help a bit, just remember to balance them. Good luck !

Fwiw, I find it's faster to take the flashing off the MAS (Master AirScrew) props with a utility knife. I just scrape the knife blade along the LE and TE of the prop and around the tip.

The MAS props are very durable, but not very efficient. APC brand props usually pull better, but are much easier to break, since they have very thin tips. And the APCs will do even more damage to a finger than a MAS prop.

Wood breaks easily, but it looks nice. Most wood props I've used pull better than the MAS props, but not as good as the APCs in the air. In theory, a wood prop will be less likely to damage anything it hits, or damage the engine if it hits something. Back when I started flying, I was told to use wood props to avoid bending the crankshaft if the prop hit something. Well, I can tell you from experience that even the strongest nylon props won't damage the engine by themselves.

For learing, using the black MAS props for their durability makes the most sense to me. Be sure to take off the flashing, and the little stickers on the back of the prop too. (believe it or not, I've had more than one student show up with a plane with the sticker still on the prop).

what about Top Flite? I am ordering from tower and top flite are cheaper

The wood props are more efficient but, as you say, not as tough as the plastics. Wouldn't dare use a wood prop on my pizza Box.

When I showed up at the field, I had a wood prop on my avistar. The guy who took my plane up for the first time suggested I get rid of it and install a nylon prop, he said they pull harder and there's no danger of the prop nut backing off. The guy who's refreshing me runs wood props on all his planes, and has no problems. I guess it's kind of a personal preference kind of thing.... I personally think wood props look better on an airplane, but that's just me.

Andy

It is a lot of personal preference.

You can't say that all wood is better than all nylon, or vice-versa. Over the years, props have changed. Old pure-nylon props were HORRIBLE, but you never see those anymore. The black Master Airscrew (MAS) props have actually been re-designed at least once over the years. It also seems that some brands are better in some sizes, while other brands are better in other sizes.

In my opionion, in the 9-12" sizes (where I have the most experience), the black MAS props are rather in-efficient, many wood props (Zinger and new Topflight "power point" props) are better. But the APC props are better still, and they are fiber-reinforced nylon like the MAS props.

Yub, Yub- mind to expand on that chopstick-prop-balancing idea?

This past weekend I witnessed a wooden prop come apart at the hub, I knew they would break if they hit something, but this one came apart shortly after take off! Just another reason to go with composite props.

Take a chopstick

Take your prop

Put it on yore chopstick

spin it around on the chopstick

Put the chopstick over a crate wide enugh to let the prop spin, but short enough tolet the two ends of the chopstick touch the ends of the crate (I use my dad's beer box)

Then you balance the prop on the chopstick so that the prop is // to the ground

let go if it spins to one side its heavy on that side.

cde0214,
Years ago I witnessed a person`s hand come appart as one of those black props took one his fingers off and sent it flying some 30 feet away. Thats another reason to use wood props. I see that plastic or fiber props can sustain hits without breaking and thats OK as long as they dont hit flesh. When somebody advises about those more dangerous props being more efficient, which is true, just remind them the extra danger that comes with them. Sorry man, but that happened to a friend of mine many years ago, and I have becomed an advocate of advising about this to anybody I see using them. BE CAREFULL !!!

sounds good,
I must try that yub, yub
Is it accurate though????

I have no clue

I also tried 1/4" drill bit, balance on 2 by fours by tens

I dunno

Yep wood props are a little, and only a little, more forgiving to flesh and bone. The other reason I like wood props is appearance, they match the types of planes I like to fly.