Problems balancing wood props??
 

I never seemed to have an issue balancing a wood prop before.

Lately, over the past couple of years, it seems to me as though the wood props are more out of balance that I've ever noticed before.

Is this just me, or have those of you using wood props noticed that they're more difficult to balance within the past couple of years?

Thanks for your input,

Bob

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

Bob, its been so long since I've used a wood prop that I can't remember the last time. Well, sorry, I know that doesn't help you much but I just don't like wood on fourstrokes.

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

I only have four strokes and no wood props

http://www2.gpmd.com/image/d/dubq0130.jpg

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

I have messed with a few wood props, but I tend to use the MAS fiber filled plastic props more though.

But I remember that it is possible for the center hole to be off center. Which really sucks, as you have to sand off a little from the center hub section on the prop. Usually it is more common to see this on a plastic prop though.
With the wood props, it might be poorer quality woods are being used. So one side could be really heavy or have a slightly offset hole in the center.

Wood is tricky as they usually give it a spray coat of varnish to seal the wood and sometimes paint the tips too. So they might spray a little too much varnish on one side versus the other.

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

Going along with what the previous person said - on the wood props I usually start with fine sand paper on the varnish.

Eventually it becomes obvious that the hub itself is out of balance and so you sand on one side of the hub until you can get the prop to balance in both directions

I have come across some ASP props recently that were mighty close

I use the Dubro balancer

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

Huh? Thought you said you had no wood props. [:o]

CR

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

What's wrong with wood props on 4-strokes?

CR

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

One of the things I hate about living 65 miles from the nearest hobby shop it that I have to get wood props by mail order rather than being able to pick out the straight-grained ones from the display. As it is it's a crap shoot. [&o]

Pro Zingers tend to be pretty good, though. Also MA wooden props. There are others if you want to research and spend the dough.

CR

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N02NHYrpA0g[/youtube]

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

ive noticed the Menzs props to require more balancing than Vess and Xoar props, in the 20+ inch range ...

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

Too light making for a lousy idle, I live 370 miles from my LHS.

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

I use wood on my Saito 91. It gives me a faster spool-up for 3D stuff. I haven't noticed anything strange at all balancing the XOAR BeechWood and MA Scimitar woods. I run a 14X6 and sometimes a 15X4 on it. Once running it idles good but starting it can sometimes be a bear because of the prop being so light. As long as I use the electric starter it starts fine though, just not by hand.

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

http://www.shopatron.com/products/pr...1.1.0.0.0.0.0?

http://mediacdn.shopatron.com/media/...5946383028.jpg

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

The greater weight of a synthetic prop provides more flywheel effect thus making it easier to achieve a smooth idle. That being said I generally use wood props for a variety of reasons, and can usually obtain a nice idle.

jess

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

HI GUys,

THis thread isn't a debate about wood vs composite - I didn't want sidetrack the discussion... that issue been covered before in many other places.

My question was whether guys have noticed a significant difference in the quality of the WOOD props that they order. It seems that the props I got a few years ago required very little to balance a prop. Now, if I get 3 props, two of them have one blade that drops like a stone on the balancer. Maybe the grain of the wood isn't what it could be - that is, do the ones being sent to me have a uniform grain pattern on both props?? I'll check my props a little more closely.

I usually get the props at my LHS but if he doesn't have them, I go mail order. Again, this isn't about Composite vs Wood, but whether folks have noticed a difference in wood props in the past couple of years,

Thanks,

Bob

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

Hi everyone,

It's been more than a year since that last post. I've learned a think or two about props... I've also learned to be a bit more observant about my props and balancing as well.

Like in my last email, I bought 3 props. One is close to perfect, one is so-so, and one has an anchor firmly attached to one blade, or so it seems. I measured that prop from tip to center hole, and the center hole is off by about 1 to 1-1/2 mm, enough to make a difference.

By chance, does anyone know where I can find one of these? The hole needs to be centered up before I can do anything. I'd thought I'd see if one of these was still around in someone's junk box, etc., that they might want to get rid of cheap. I think it's a Robart balancer, but can't read the logo on the base well enough.

Thanks in advance,

Bob

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

I've been eying that lazer-cut SIG balancer kit. It looks good, but sure is pricey [X(]

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

That is Windsor prop balancer from Master Airscrew but I don't think they have it anymore?
http://images.rcuniverse.com/forum/u...89/Ig11898.jpg

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

http://masterairscrew.com/

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

Thanks for refreshing my memory, Jim...

I've got the Dubro and Top FLite balancer and use them both. They're great when the prop hole is drilled in the center. I checked the Windsor site and, as you noted, the balancer is no longer listed. I'm not surprised. That wasn't a popular method, though it worked.

I'll have to keep looking. So far, no luck on eBay or Craigs List. I sure would love to save a couple of these props.

Bob

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

I'm not sure yet about the Sig balancer. I need to check it against the GP balancer with a few models. Assembling it was a pain because some parts didn't fit well. I just need to get confidence in using it.

The prop balancer part of it doesn't inspire confidence. I wouldn't trust mine very much, but I would certainly use it over a finger balancer.

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

Well, things like the Sig, Top Flite or Dubro balancer are not what I'm looking for. I already have two out of the three.

They work great for props that have their center-holes properly drilled.

The reason that I'm interested in the Windsor balancer is because it lets me fill the off-center drilled hole and drill a correct one. That way, the prop gets properly balanced (blade as well as hub) in one shot.

Does anyone out there have a Windsor prop balancer that they want to get rid of for a reasonable (or cheaper :D ) price? That's what I'm trying to focus on.

Thanks,

Bob

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

Bob, you have me interested in one too......

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

I don't like how the guy in the clip Sanded of so much of the Blade, I mean if he changed the Shape or Thickness of the Blade that Blade would not pull the same as the other Blade, I would think that would be as bad as being out of balance ??

what you think ??

Jim

RE: Problems balancing wood props??
 

The prop in the clip appears to be an APC and the design of this style prop is pretty much flat on the backside of the blade.
As the airfoil is on the front side of the blade, removal of material on the back is the proper way to do this because the airfoil is not altered.
Remember, the prop is not pushing air behind it is pulled into the low pressure caused by the airfoil.
The prop does not care wether the blade is thinner, only wether it is balanced equally.

Happy flying, Oscar