Hello,
Im looking for a really simple to make propeller balancer, does anyone have or know of any free plans that are super simple.

Im wondering if I couldnt just take a couple pieces of pvc, and drill a hole through each one and insert a metal rod through them and put the propeller on the rod. Sort of like this basic drawing I whipped up real quick.

Would I have to create some sort of hub, or would the metal rod need to be aproximately the same diamater as the hub on the prop or could it be substantially smaller? Im assuming it would have to be real close in size to the inside diameter of the props hub so that it doesnt just "sit" on the tubing. But Im really not sure, so if anyone has any really simple plans with easily aquirable parts from the DIY centers to create a balancer, please let me know.

Thanks,

I just bolt the prop to the engine, add fuel and battery, and if the engine starts and runs, I figure that's close enough.

I have a balancer.... havne't used it in ages.....

If you use a shaft the same diameter of the prop hub you will get more drag and less accuracy, if you use a smaller shaft you will need a way of centering the prop, something like these:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHY63&P=7
On the other hand there are hand held balancers that are pretty inexpensive like this:
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDS10&P=7
You can alway get something like the handheld one and build a frame to hold it.
My balancer uses 2 magnets to suspent the shaft between them.

Put bearings in the tubing that fit the rod with little slop and the design will be simple and work better. If you leave the rod to work against the friction from the pvc pipes, the balancer won't be sensitive enough to be worth the effort.

Balancing props is one of those things that a lot of people are very prejudiced about. It's sort of amazing really. Some very experienced and well respected guys even take every opportunity to preach against a practice that may not be their choice but isn't ever a stupid thing to do. It takes so very little time and effort to do that you're not saving yourself much of anything by not doing it. And if you do it, you WILL find props that are badly out of balance. The practice will save you in the long run if not on every prop or even on most props. But it makes little sense to advise a beginner against a practice that has no real negatives even if the positives aren't always evident.

DaRock is correct. I often make light of balancing props, but of course, it's never a BAD idea.

The only reason I often joke about it is to show the beginner that it is not something they HAVE to do just because their planes instructions tell them to do so.

Obviously, if you read your manual, and they tell you to balance the prop, a newbie will often think that balancing a prop is an important step that they MUST DO before they can continue - it is not - especially for a beginner who is flying a trainer (On some of the EXTREME SPEED Planes, it is VERY important, but it will be a long time before you get to that level if indeed that is even the direction you want to go in this sport)

Balancing your plane on it's Center of Gravity (CG) is VERY important, and that step should NEVER be skipped, but balancing your prop? Don't lose any sleep over it.

Thanks for keeping me honest rock

Minflyer is correct in that with a trainer setup, you really don't need to worry all that much about balancing a prop. APC makes their props very well and at the RPM levels you are running, you'll never have to worry about balance. There are some very good prop balacers on the market for a very reasonable cost, so unless you just want to make the balancer for fun, there isn't really a need to make one.

As all said above... on smaller props you can do find without balanceing them...
I always did.... I was using a finger balancer, with paint, C.A. etc on the lite blade
or if a little off sanding the heavy side...
But now I use the Top flight balancer... *^#&!..... Trying to to work my "hub" time
down.... I think spending an hour on ea. is a bit much.... As I said... I do all my
props.... You can get away with it on smaller props...... But, if done right, it can not
hurt, only helps......
On your queston.... I guess you could make one.... But, you would need some kind
of cone or such so as what you used would fit on the edges of the prop hub hole and
hold the prop stright... and what ever hub shaft you used needs to be as friction-less
as possible..... As said above... prices are pretty good.... JMO