spinner damage
 

ok so i took my NEXSTAR out to run-in the engine, now im new at this so it was a learning leasson. I have damaged the spinner with the starter, is this going to do anything to the aircraft?, do I need to get another one? how do you start the aircraft without damaging the the spinner, and yes im using the rubber attachment.

Here is what the damage looks like

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/c...a/DCP_0852.jpg


Thanks for any advice,

Justin

RE: spinner damage
 

Don't worry about the white streaks, unless there is a crack that I can't see my spinner looks exactly the same.

RE: spinner damage
 

This is a fairly common problem that won't effect the way you Nexstar flies. I'm a newby also and I have similar marks on my spinner. The marks come from not having the starter cone pushed onto the spinner hard enough when starting. Try pushing just a little harder on the starter when you are starting your engine and the problem should not get any worse. You can change the spinner if you want the Nexstar to look better, but it isn'e necessary. Now when I start my Alpha 40, or my Pulse I grab a place on the plane where I won't do any damage and where my body is clear and I push the plane forward just little so the started and spinner fit tightly together. This keeps this problem from happening and makes starting easier.
Indy Park Flyer
Hangar:
Hangar 9 Alpha 40
Hangar 9 Pulse XT

RE: spinner damage
 

No, that is not going to affect the plane at all. It's simply cosmetic damage to the spinner. As you already know it comes from the electric starter slipping on the spinner. It's not going to hurt anything, just ugly to look at. To start the plane without this happening try doing this. First rotate the prop clockwise until you hit compression from the engine. This will give the starter a little "room" to spin up before it hits the compression stroke of the engine. Now reach over the prop and secure the plane with your left hand (right hand if you are left handed). Place the starter on the spinner and push hard against the plane. Now hit the switch of the starter. It should spin the engine over with no problems. If for some reason it doesn't stop trying to start it. All you do is damage your spinner more.

Hope this helps

Ken

RE: spinner damage
 

I had the same happen to my NexStar spinner until I did what RCKen suggested. You'll be fine.

RE: spinner damage
 

That .46 FXi ought to start right up with a chicken stick and a quick flip of the prop. Try that the next time. You will avoid all sorts of cosmetic damage to the spinner that way.

RE: spinner damage
 

Irrpcanada,

The other alternative would be to get an aluminum spinner but you still need to follow Ken's instructions. The aluminum won't be effected by the starter other than rubber marks that clean off with Windex. They are costly so if you don't mind the scratches stick with plastic. Aluminum can run from $23.00 to $$$$ depending on size and manufacturer. I personally like the heavy duty polished aluminum Magnum Spinners.

Gibbs

RE: spinner damage
 

You can end the problem by buying a silicone rubber insert for your starter. See http://www.sullivanproducts.com/ and click on Starter Accessories.

RE: spinner damage
 

monitor how deep the scratches are getting into the plastic. If the scratches get too deep the spinner might fail and come apart. The engine will run fine but sesitive parts of your body may be damaged from flying shrapnel. eyes are suseptible. Everything else about the plane will be fine

RE: spinner damage
 

denatured alcohol works well for removing the marks on the spinner

RE: spinner damage
 

I did what bigtim suggested, instead I used rubbing alcohol because it was within reach. My spinner(s) looked just like yours until I just cleaned them off, looks like new now. Of course, mine doidn't have nay underlying scratches, yours may not either, you just need to rub off those white streaks to make sure.

RE: spinner damage
 

More prop clearence,

I just noticed in the picture of your spinner that there isn't hardly if any clearence on one side of the prop. You should adjust it so the prop is in the center of the opening in the spinner or it might slip and eat away the prop enough to fail and hurt you or someone else. You always want as much clearence on both sides of the prop shaft as possible. If this is just an optical illusion I'm seeing disregard.

Gibbs

RE: spinner damage
 

I took the spinner off of mine. I had a plastic spinner shatter one time starting my OS46. It kicked back and the spinner flew apart. So, I just don't bother with them on my trainers as the engines start just fine with one or two flicks with a chicken stick.

Dan

RE: spinner damage
 

Dsegal gave the best advice on eliminating spinner marks.

There is no need to move to aluminum but it sure looks nicer.

The material in the starter cone and/or debris and dirt will do damage.

Keep the cone clean, and purchase a better second party one.

I keep ruining plastic spinners until I changed the starter cone.

Now not a one has a blemish!

The difference is night and day.

RE: spinner damage
 

the great planes spinners with the aluminum back plate are cheap and durable .... I have one on my ultra sport and it still has no marks after 15-20 flights

RE: spinner damage
 

Harry Higby's has alum and brass nose "HUBS" they are my favorite for most planes. the "heavy" or brass ones are great if you need a little nose wieght. otherwise aluminum. avoids all the aligment hassles of plastic cones. othershapes and sizes are all around your LHS.