I searched the forums and couldn't find what I was looking for. Everytime I install a new prop, I have a problem holding the backplate still while I tighten the prop nut. I was wondering what ideas folks had come up with to get the prop set where you want it while still keeping the back plate in place. It seems that I can never get it *just right*. I either get the piston position a little off or the back plate not set to where the spinner fits right. I know this isn't really an issue with aluminum spinners, but I still have a couple planes that use the plastic ones with two screws. Any ideas?

Rick

It's easy really, just grow a few more fingers on one hand.

But seriously... Most of those plastic spinners have two little pegs that the prop should rest back on. They will align the Prop/Spinner. As far as getting it related to the compression, place it where you want it, and tighten it only slightly (You may need those extra fingers at first to keep the crankcase from spinning). Once it is well snugged, check the position and change if need be. Once you have it where you want it, go ahead and lock it down.

LoL, it's when I snug it down that it seems to want to either pull the prop or pull the whole spinner or bend the pegs with the prop. I tried using pliers to hold the pegs but that just chewed them up and bent them... I should probably know how to do this by now, but I've seen guys that have flown for years fight the same problem.

Something else also is that different prop/spinner/engine combinations can be better or worse than others.