RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Sorry to hear that…

Your mounting installation of your engine is not a safe. The load on your mounting block is not shearing or either bearing but torque. The distance from the engine to the base and the static thrust of your engine is big enough to fold or vibrate hard at maximum power, you need a support member from the engine's center of thrust to the base to serve as a compression and tension brace, also on the side. The good thing you have good anchoring on the bottom. Again sorry, I feel bad for what happened.

Next time look for backup or fail-safe like an extension link rod as an emergency shutdown or fuel cut-off for your engine.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

everyone who has flown rc planes likely has had a prop cut ..mine happened when a fourstoke let go and the prop stuck in my arm that was interesting lol.and I just saw a good friend wearing a black protective band on his arm.turns out he hand launched a stryer.regrettably the jet had a 9inch prop rather than the usual 5 inch.ouch.he ended up with very deep lacerations and needed a pint of blood.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Get used to it. It will happen again ... when you're least expecting it ... or when you have a blonde moment ... happens to all of us.

I'd also get rid of that test stand. It looks dangerous. It should be as flat and as low as possible, not built like a tower.

Avoid or be very careful around APC props... They will create the nastiest cuts or worse ... even take your fingers off.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

I've got one to top all the previous stories. I have a 3D hobbies Extra running a 46 rimfire electric with 80 amp esc and 6s 5000 lipos. On my maiden day after installing the batteries i was squatted down about 2 ft in front of it doing something to my radio, bumped the throttle, the thing came to life and put 11 slashes on my right butt cheek (through my jeans) before I could get it shut down.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Good to hear it wasn't too bad. Not fun! You can read my experience here; [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4762505/anchors_4762505/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#4762505]Prop Bitten[/link]

As others have said.. watch out for those APC props!

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Glad to hear it nothing got sliced off!

What I am super-paranoid about is getting cut when removing the glow driver stick. With the inverted Saito on my H9 Clipped-wing Cub, the glow plug is up in the cowl a bit, behind the cylinder, pointing aft. I'm always worried that my forearm will get into the prop arc as I hold the plane while trying to get that dadgum stick off.

Thinking about going with an onboard McDaniels driver for this very reason!

Now that will flat-out bite quicker than a cotton-mouth! I've had the same thing happen, but at least I was out of the way and didn't get hit...tore up some stuff, though, before I could get it under control. Now I follow the directions like I should have done, and pull the prop on an electric before I power it up for the first time.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Last winter, I became victim of APC prop, got 6 stitches in my left middle finger, it cut wide open, I was still stubborn, wrapped cleaning rag around my finger, did 2 flights, and went home. Once my wife saw it, she said heck no, you are going to hospital, and got slammed by $1,600 bill for cleaning, few meds and 6 stitches.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Do you electric guys not take the prop off when working on the bench with it? pretty quick and easy insurance.
Martin

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

I do now...:)

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

How does anyone in the US know about cricket gloves :-)

I am originally South African and when I mention cricket, people tell me that it is bug that makes a noise.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Many years ago, I was getting ready to fly my pattern plane with a .60 engine on it. anyway after starting the engine, and running it up to speed, it seemed to need a needle valve tweak. So for some odd reason my brain failed me and I reached in from the front to adjust the needle valve. Fortunately we were all using wood props at the time. But even then it seriously did some damage to my fingers. if the prop was plastic, I would have lost some fingers for sure.

The modern plastic props are very dangerous, they do not break like wood props will. Plus the plastic props tend to have razor sharp edges to them too. The noise reduced props like APC's are shaped more like a sharp scimitar sword blade and they can remove body appendages with no effort.

Anyway, never ever use C clamps or squeeze clamps to hold a engine test stand down on the table/bench etc. The engine's vibration will loosen them right up on you at the worst possible time.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Sorry to say this is not a Test Stand for 2 or 4 stroke engines. I sell plans which allow you to build a "liquid filled" test stand for these type of engine applications. Total cost for materials you purchase at any home improvment store around $60.00 dollars US, time to bulid around 48hrs. Total servo control of engine throttle via your own trans, reciever, battery and one standard 38 to 44 gr servo! The test stand WILL NOT TIP OVER EVER! You will ruin any engine that is broken in on a hard mount. The bearings, con rods and or bushings are not designed to take undampened vibrations. Just think about it for a minute, your engine is mounted on your airframe on the ground, you start it, your airframe dissapates the vibration, once you become airborne the flow of air over and around your air frame further dissapates the vibrations from the action of the engine pistion moving up and down, can you imagine if the new car you buy had an engine on HARD MOUNTS!
Sorry you got injured!
if you are interested
pete_maciejowski @yahoo.com

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Really? So, how do you explain the millions of engines that have been successfully broken in on "hard mount" stands?

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

here is a good one for you reached into my box of apc props. must have forgoton to dull the side of a 16x8 went straight to the bone and it did not seem to care

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Got hit twice, once back in the late 60's and then mid 90's. Right thump 2nd joint and left last time, same place (matching scars). Drove myself to E.R. Dr. chewed me out good for driving myself. I was in shock. Had to wash the drivers side of my van next day (you guess why).
Nothing more permanent than scars. Got very lucky.
I now make very sure the aircraft or test stand is very securely prevented from any forward movement. I move very slowly and very deliberately, even exaggerated motions when ever I connect power to the engine (wide and away from engine and prop arc). I try to maintain total awareness of were my right hand is and put my left behind me as soon as I can.
I Now always use a chicken stick. or a good leather glove with a Kevlar glove inside of it, or an electric starter. (Kevlar glove also very useful when carving parts). Xacto blades will do incredible damage to you.
But the real danger actually starts when that motor starts.

And no more out alone. Slice an artery and you could bleed to death.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Much in the same way we know about South African National Service, not to be confused with the American welfare system (:-)

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Thanks for all the good stories and safety tips. My finger is healing up now, and i can count the cuts. total is 8 between the tip and first joint on my pinky. Im also getting my feeling back in the finger! Valuable lesson learned. Ive been out twice since then and been careful. Not afraid, i dont think, just careful. Did i mention in my original post this was an apc blade? Started looking at wood Master Airscrew porops. lol. right now, i  have an evolution prop on and the apc is in my tool box as a last resort option. Keep the stroies comming.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Does anyone still remove the mold flashing off of the props? SOP before instalation. [8D]

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

This has to have been posted here before, however.... this is a great example of what not to do with an engine test stand:

G clamps, and standing in front of the engine... watch out for the 'bite' this guy gets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pk9y5t1N9Q

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

It seems that most prop bite stories involve either a break in procedure or a surprise grab. The lesson- always start and work on your engine the same way every single time, and if something comes loose or surprises you reach for the transmitter, not the airplane.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

Fear of the bite has prompted me to install a remote glow ignitor.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/...b3c4633e_z.jpg
Remote glow ignitor by JD and Beastlet, on Flickr

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

As said by many already here, on glow engines make it a habit to do everything from behind the engine. Saves you from reaching through the prop arc to remove the glow ignitor or adjust needles, plus it protects against anything that can go wrong with the prop. Good and safe habits is the key.

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

I agree completely. At flight school they have been careful to show us where to put our hands when starting a plane. I was surprised at how quickly those two solid and highly visible blades morph into a shimmering, translucent and nearly invisible disc. I am very careful and respectful of that disc. I am teaching myself to assoicate the sound of the engine with careful awareness and placement of my hands.

I just figured that the less often you have to put your hands near the spinning prop, the less potential for accidents. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...ular_smile.gif

RE: got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

reading these stories gives me goosebumps. i remember the time i was breaking in my fourstroke engine, running it rich. gunk was blowing directly on my newly painted dubro scale wheels. i stupidly reached ACROSS the prop arc giving three fingers a reason to go to the hospital. scars still bother me.