PROP TOOLS
 

GANG:

Some time through the years we come up with something worth sharing and then forget to do so. Pic is of a tool I have been relying on for a lot of years to help ballancing my props from new out of the box to cut down. Works on small and large and helps to get a spot on ballance. The 1/4" standard shaft in the center should be done on a drill press, a carrage bolt or sim. cut off leaving the smooth shaft section extedned out of the wood, threaded, set in place with a shot of thin CA. Underneath is another small 1/4" shaft holding a number of nylon addaptors for use on larger props frtom the local hdwe store. Simply hold the block with 100 to 80 grit sandpaper on two sides, find the shortest length and sand the long side to match. Amazing how many new props are off in length. Try it, you will keep one in your shop. Dig the nice new carpet after the lipo fire?ENJOY

RE: PROP TOOLS
 

Good tool.[sm=thumbup.gif]

I use concrete runways, shortens both sides evenly.:D

BTW what do you run a 21x8 on? When it warms up a little around here I'm going to try the 20x8 20x10, and 21x8 BME props I just bought on my 50, 60 and 62 cc engines. I want to see if getting them spinning about 8000 rpm will make more pull than the 7200 I get with a 22x8.

RE: PROP TOOLS
 

Roger,

This is a prop length guide that was used when people use to carve their own props :)

Works fine, just don't think they are sold any more.

RE: PROP TOOLS
 

It's funny how we do things differently, depending on what your're going after. For .36 size C/L combat, you buy your props by the bag load and simply [and quickly] sand some length off the blade that is heavy, ending up with uneven lengths that run just fine at 20,000.
For a prop that has a 2 minute life expectancy, it is too much work to do it the right way.

RE: PROP TOOLS
 

At about $65 a prop you'd think twice about buying a bag full.

RE: PROP TOOLS
 

Yea, no kidding! I would be motivated to mold those.

RE: PROP TOOLS
 

That's funny! I just bought a backer board, modeling clay and a new Vess 22A for that purpose.

RE: PROP TOOLS
 

Rich:

The 21 X 8 spun on a ZDZ 40 at around 8K on a Dave Plat Extra 300 until the wing broke off. Most violent thing I have eve seen a airframe do, and was not much above stalling. Thing flapped its wings like a bird, for a few moments. The prop still lives, probably go to E-bay soon. DP did not believe what happned, probably why is is gone!!!

RE: PROP TOOLS
 

Dave:

The wood is from Lowes, block stolen from the kids old stuff mom keeps hidden. I keep the old props with minor tip strikes and fix them up. Idea probably fell out of the vacuume that replaces a old brain when something is needed. After all, my first engine was a 40's Brown 29 ignition that never ran, making props is a skill I never tryed to learn, top-flight did it so much better. Yea, sanding and shaving down etc., but never from a blank.