got bit by a prop for the first time!
 

so, i built an engine stand to run an engine i bought a couple of years ago used, but never fired up. so, i get it running, and my throttle link pops off. the vibration opens the throttle to wide open. i reach for the throttle a little to fast and over shoot. got 5 nice deep cuts in my pinky, abd blood everywhere. the initiation is over now, and it hurts, but im ok. anyone else have a good story so i can learn what not to do before i learn the hard way again?? lol.

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

Sorry that happened. I got my initiation with an electric with reversed throttle.

What is abd blood? A new blood type or internet lingo or a typo? ;)

Please, don't post pictures of your pinky. Link to them if necessary, but please, no posts.

CGr.

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

sorry, typo. it was supposed to read, "and blood everywhere" i doubt anyone wants to see the damage, lol. heck, i didnt want to see it!

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

Tomorrow, you will really remember what happened. Take two aspirins.. :D

I had five stiches with my little mishap.

CGr.

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

got some advil in me now, so im not feeling it at the minute. im planning on an advil regime for the next couple days lol.

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

Weenie drugs for the wennie finger. Man up, get yourself some big tabs of Codeine!!![&:] They don't really stop the pain and throbbing but you won't care a lot. I haven't gotten bit hard sense I was a kid in the 50s, a little nip here and there to remind me I have a slice and dice on the front of the engine but nothing real bad.
I have had to pick up some other peoples fingers though, it can get real ugly real fast.

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

Very sorry to read what happened to you.

I would add more area to the base of that stand.
It seems prone to tip forward or rotate with a powerful engine.

Painting the tips of the propeller always help see the arc.

Fast recovery!

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

i actually built the stand with a c-clamp in mind. its now clamped to a small work table. just got to get a better throttle hookup. making a trip to the lhs tomorrow for a tip to solder on so this doesnt happen again. hurts too much, and the cleanupb was a pain in the butt!

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

G'day

I have been trying to remove a finger since about 1959. Haven't managed it yet. But recently I had the worst cut ever from the second smallest engine I have ever owned. Engine was a 0.6cc MPJet diesel in an old timer. Prop was an APC (stands for A Precision Cut) 6 x 4. I was holding my model in my left hand and my radio in my right and I realised that I needed to swap hands. You can guess the rest. Only one hit to the back of my index finger on my right hand as I reached past the prop.

The cut was quite long but not all that deep but it bled very nicely and there are still the blood stains on the floor of the club house as we tried to find a suitable dressing in the first aid kit.

There really is only one piece of advice. Stay Awake and make sure running engines are properly secured. And if the engine is running and you are carrying it in a model - STAY AWAY from the PROP. Behind it is best.

Next.

Mike from Oz

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

My SuperTigre 3000 backfired and broke my finger........so, it's a little crooked now. Learned to use a glove.

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

I got it 3 years ago...21 stitches to my last three fingers....the trick is not to get it again

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

I've only been flying for about 8-9 years, but I haven't been bit, yet. Not bragging and I have gotten into the back of a prop while turning a needle valve, but not more than a couple drops of blood. I think the main reason is that while teaching kids, we exaggerate everything dealing with safety. We even walk around the front of the plane so that we remove the glow ignitor from behind the prop. It's now a habit that I use all the time, teaching or not.

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

I know a guy in his 70s who has been a modeler since he was a kid. Never a nicked finger until last year: then stitches. It can happen to anybody.

Two good rules (for glow: electrics aren't my area): 1. Always wear a glove when starting a prop with your hand: (2) Once it starts, get behind it before you do anything else.

Do I follow these myself? Well, mostly, except it's hard to keep from taking the glow igniter off the plug before you get behind the prop. But if you can make yourself do these things it will save you some ER visits.

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

I had a bad one last year. I bought a Zenoah G-26ei, modified by Ralph Cunningham. The ignition box started acting up.( I thought it was the carb settings). So I had a flat tip screwdriver and I had a death grip on it. When I went to adjust the low end needle the engine started surging. The screwdriver slipped off and the propellor grabbed the screwdriver and my hand along with it. (I should have had heat shrink tubing and control rods on the needles)

It put 3 gashes in my index finger on my right hand and a little gash on my thumb. The biggest gash was right on my knuckle to the bone. I did not get stitches (should have) but kept a dressing on it and went to the ocean where the salt water cured it right up about a week later.

There was an audience and I informed everyone then and there that I would never do that again. So now when I have to adjust my engines, I stop them, make the adjustment and then restart and repeat if needed.

I have always considered myself a safe guy but obviously not safe enough.

Prop strikes hurt people. Be safe out there.

Glenn Williams

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

In 1973..I was into cotrol line and was breaking in a McCoy 40 (the old red head).. My friend was holding the plane by both wings which meant he was looking right into the prop. I didn't like that and started moving my right hand in and watching my lef hand ... should have watched my right hand. I put it right into the prop and took 19 stitches to the index finger from the knuckle to thumb. It took me years to get over that..mostly psychologically. I haven't done the same since. [sm=thumbs_up.gif]

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

I got bit about a year ago with a 24x8 prop. It actually got me on the back fire, and not when it was running. It literally spun me around and it felt like somebody took a sledge hammer to my three fingers on cement. It was completely my fault, should have used a glove, and the person holding it (my father) even told me too. Got a good cut on my middle finger that bled for 2 days.

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

I was flying with my nephew, we were flying a Great Planescub with an OS70 four stroke in it,put on glow ignnitor and started engine,engine was running about half throttle.We were not sure why, we had no response when we moved the throttle stick,then noticed we didnt turn on the battery switch. as I was yelling at him for not turning on the switch I put my hand into the prop when I went to turn on the switch,wasnt thinking . Gave me a good whack across three fingers hurt for 2 weeks. Now I keep calm when things arent right and dont yell at anyone.</p>

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

Cricket batting glove maybe?? There is almost an 1" of padding on the back side of the fingers.

http://i130.twenga.com/sports/cricke...218266197b.png

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

Those will certainly help prevent injury. I wonder if you can wrap those around a chicken stick? :D

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

The first finger I broke was done by the original Fox 40 RC BB. Bought it when they first came out. In 49 years of starting glow engines I wish I could say I've learned my lesson but I keep hand starting them from time to time and still get whacked once in a while. Oh well the joys of the sport...LOL

I have to be real careful with the big 50cc Extra in my avatar as it makes 5.5 HP and swings a 23X8 prop. If that rascal ever got hold of me I am fairly sure it would take the whole hand off. We're talking lawnmower size props/blades here and some lawnmowers don't even make that much HP.

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

Hi

Welcome to the club . I did my pinky three years ago . And I did a good job of it to , 5 or 6 good slices , blood every where . But ,1 ) it didn,t hurt , and 2 ) it was more of a pain in the ***** .

It was so bad , they couldn,t even stich it , it was a hamburger situation :D

Live and learn , always be aware .

Michel

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

This is GREATADVICE.
It's also prudent to get everyone else behind the prop once the engine starts. With R/C - nothing except landing (or a return to terra-firma) should be taken for granted.

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

Cricket batting gloves, what a marvelous idea. But how did a guy in Las Vegas know about Cricket gloves?

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

personally even if you can't post but link pictures I think you should. Really wakes you up and makes you think and hopefully it will not happen to you... or again. Mine also was a small electric with a reversed throttle servo situation and in grabbing for it as I've done a few times but this time reached into the prop arc and opened up the base of my hand 8 stitches worth at $100 per stitch ouch and ouch! So if you haven't been bit and it's still on here with all the pictures find and look at the thread and learn. If a prop is spinning or can, stay away from it or behind it and always think and don't get complacent. Seems like we all do and some with a lot worse outcome or more of a permanent one.

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

The timing of this post was too good to pass.
Folks, I've been "nicked" by these things now and then for all of the 40 years + I've been at it.
But - TODAY - was absolutely the worst. I broke THE"Cardinal Rule" of managing e-power a/c in a shop. Yep - working on it with the ESC armed...bumped the throttle, and a 700 Watt 12x6 eAPC went almost full bore. Instinct took over, put my right hand in front of me as it lurched forward. Horrible - ugly...Off to the ER, and suturing of FOUR large, deep cuts in the meat of my right palm....and 17 stitches.

The rule - easy to remember - the Cure - MUCHharder. But you all can bet I will be disabling ESCs for in-shop testing from now on. A real shame this had to happen to improve my memory.

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.