rexracer

I recently got a Saito .82 and I bought a MA13x8 and a MA 14x6 to try on it. I reamed the 13x8 to 8mm to fit the shaft, but the 14x6 has a hole that's too big already. Can I get bushings or something so I can sleeve it from a larger size?

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

You can wrap the threads with yarn, or tape to build it up to the right size.

BadSplice

My Feedback: (1)

slip a tiny bit of fuel tubing over the shaft and down to the spinner plate. That big cavity on the back of a MAS prop will just squish over the fuel tubing and center the prop perfectly.

masonman

I second what bad splice said.. I do it all the time.

Hughes500E

My Feedback: (16)

I guess I like my engines better than you guys [:-]


I would never do such a thing, buy a new prop. If you can't afford a new prop for safety reasons and for looking after your engine/bearings, you're in the wrong hobby A slightly offset prop will chew bearings in no time. A Saito .82 deserves better.

rwright142

I agree with Hughes500E. If you have the prop off center (even just a very tiny bit) I will induce vibrations because it will be unbalanced. Why take the chance of ruining an engine when a trip to your LHS and the cost of gas and a new prop will be a lot less than the cost of a new engine and possibly a new plane because your engine died when you were too low and slow to recover?

I know there are those that said they have done it many times and I bet they have never had a problem and probably never will. I'm just the cautious type.

rexracer

I don't believe in doing things half a*sed. I do find it hard to believe there isn't a better way. I think all the Saito mid blocks, from the .72 up to the new 1.25 have an 8mm shaft, yet no MA prop above 13" will fit. I'm supprised nobody makes bushings, say a 10mm OD and an 8mm ID. Then I could ream the prop to 10mm and insert a bushing. I may have to turn my own[&o]

rexracer

My LHS only usually carries MA and APC props. I'm not a big fan of APC, and half the time there prop holes aren't centered anyway, and we already know the problem with MA. He may have a Top flight prop if I'm lucky, but I wouln't bet on him having one that big. Thanks all, and Happy Holidays!

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Just for jollies, try a Graupner prop on your 4-stroke engines.

I have never been one to favor one brand over another, but the first time I used a Graupner I was an instant convert.

If your LHS doesn't carry them, Hobby-Lobby does. They are worth the trouble to get.

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/grprop.htm

Insanemoondoggie

MinnFlyer gave me a Graupner 11x6 prop to try out. I used it on a OS .46 ax and also tried out 2 APC props 11x6 & 11x7 , the Graupner flew the plane better and the engine ran smoother. They dont seem to flex very much.

rexracer

I have wanted to try some of those, and I will, but that won't help me today. The weather here is suposed to be sunny and 40+ degrees. I want to run this thing on my new test stand/"dyno" and get it dialed in. I was hopeing to try out a couple of props to see which performed better.

Insanemoondoggie

This is what our weathers like.

broke_n_bummin

You can also use the little plastic bushing that comes with a new spinner. They also make prop nuts that have a shank that comes through the prop washer to center the prop. It's a good idea to ballance any prop, especially after reaming it. Evolution props (real ones, not the 3 blade paddle props) are right up there with the Graupners. All the ones I've had needed very little ballancing and they don't flex much (15X6, 15X8, 16X6, 11X6-8 and 12X5-7).

rexracer

Yeah, last week we got almost a foot of snow, and it was 1 degree when I went to work last Tuesday morning. That's why I want to get this thing dialed in now. I also have a new Saito .45 to break in.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

1 degree?

When the temps here go that high we go out and get a sun tan.