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prop balancers.
Can I use something else like a small screw driver or something like that. I've never balanced one before, am I just looking for one side to be heavy?
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RE: prop balancers.
Just use the tip of a sharpened wood pencil. But the little Dubro balancer has been real nice to me. You only have to buy it once yet can use it many many times.
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RE: prop balancers.
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RE: prop balancers.
Yeah, the screw driver method will probably get it close enough. After you're into the hobby awhile, you'll find yourself buying nifty little gadgets like a prop balancer just because it makes it a little easier, and does a little better job. I typically don't balance props 12" and smaller, but then I use APC and MAS props that are usually balanced fairly well. For props larger than 12", I am more likely to take the time to balance them.
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RE: prop balancers.
It all depends on how much of a perfectionist you are and what is it worth to you
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RE: prop balancers.
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RE: prop balancers.
I bought the cheap balancer that you hold between your thumbs.
I found it didnt work that well. I converted this to a magnetic balancer. instead of between the thumbs. I made a stand just wider than the balancer. one side rests on a support and the other side is supported my a magnet I mounted on the stand. Kinda like what they sell but no extra cost. This worked very well as it would spin and spin with the heavy side always pointing down when it stopped. I have some props to balance so I'm going to pull it out and make a few improvements to it as I have found some stronger magnets inside of some old Hard drives I dissasembled.. I'm cheap and enjoy making these kind of things from scratch... steve |
RE: prop balancers.
ORIGINAL: -pkh- I typically don't balance props 12" and smaller, but then I use APC and MAS props that are usually balanced fairly well. For props larger than 12", I am more likely to take the time to balance them. so... it is not necessary to balance props smaller than that? I have an OS .40 LA and I was told bye the club members that it was "mandatory" to balance the prop; it uses a 10 X 6... but I actually found a website that said the same thing, that it was not necessary with small props... do you think an unbalanced prop can damage this engine? |
RE: prop balancers.
I've been flying my 40 size planes and my tiger60 for the past 2 years and have never worried about balanceing them. witch the biggest I got was a 13-6. Now I have an engine that I'm going to use wood props around the 17-6 size, and they will need to be balanced.
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RE: prop balancers.
ORIGINAL: L_Vader ORIGINAL: -pkh- I typically don't balance props 12" and smaller, but then I use APC and MAS props that are usually balanced fairly well. For props larger than 12", I am more likely to take the time to balance them. so... it is not necessary to balance props smaller than that? I have an OS .40 LA and I was told bye the club members that it was "mandatory" to balance the prop; it uses a 10 X 6... but I actually found a website that said the same thing, that it was not necessary with small props... do you think an unbalanced prop can damage this engine? |
RE: prop balancers.
ORIGINAL: Popriv I bought the cheap balancer that you hold between your thumbs. I found it didnt work that well. I converted this to a magnetic balancer. instead of between the thumbs. I made a stand just wider than the balancer. one side rests on a support and the other side is supported my a magnet I mounted on the stand. Kinda like what they sell but no extra cost. This worked very well as it would spin and spin with the heavy side always pointing down when it stopped. I have some props to balance so I'm going to pull it out and make a few improvements to it as I have found some stronger magnets inside of some old Hard drives I dissasembled.. I'm cheap and enjoy making these kind of things from scratch... steve |
RE: prop balancers.
ORIGINAL: brett65 Can you put up some pics? I enjoy making the homemade tools and stuff. Will post pics tonight! Like others said, it may not be needed with my smaller 11" props but fun to build another mousetrap! My current setup, the magnet isnt strong enough and if I spin it to hard it would fall. Also want to improve the other end support for less friction. But it does work as it will now spin for quite a few revolutions... I also want to paint the tips white for better visabilaty. Steve |
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