Help needed with a prop balancer, please!
 

I got a used Top Flite power Point Magnetic Balancer from a guy with a bunch of other stuff.

I was messing with it a bit ago and had some concerns so I did a quick search and found two reviews wherein the authors urged owners to read the manual or you could get a false reading...

I did not get one with it can not find the manual online.

Does anyone have one? Could someone help me out here?

Should one end of the shaft "float" or just touch the magnet?

It says it will do a 24" prop so the prop turning full rotations are not required, right? I am running a 13X8 and it will not fully rotate of course.

If well balanced should the prop just sit horizontally?

Argh! :D

Thanks!

RE: Help needed with a prop balancer, please!
 

Does anyone have one? Could someone help me out here?
I've got one and reallly like it.


Should one end of the shaft "float" or just touch the magnet?
Yes one end should be touching the magnet and the other just a small fraction of an inch off the second magnet. Slide the magnet to get proper clearance.

It says it will do a 24" prop so the prop turning full rotations are not required, right? I am running a 13X8 and it will not fully rotate of course.
12" props will spin completely. The prop does not need to rotate all the way around. I believe size is limited by the ability of the magnets to hold up the prop

If well balanced should the prop just sit horizontally?
Prop should sit horizontally when balanced.

The cones should be a snug fit on the shaft, Make sure your prop hole is clean and free of ridges, burrs or other defects. This would put the prop off center and lead to a false reading.

Compared to the finger tip balancer the top flite will be more accurate. The finger tip balancer will be "balanced" but the top flite will do just a little better job.

RE: Help needed with a prop balancer, please!
 

Thanks!

RE: Help needed with a prop balancer, please!
 

Be Sure that you install the shaft WITHOUT a prop and see if the shaft is true... I had one that the shaft was slightly bent and gave me fits. I bought a DuBro, it is better quality and works great. A prop that is properly balanced should stay in any position without moving.
-Tom

RE: Help needed with a prop balancer, please!
 

If you put a perfectly balanced prop on a balancer and touch it so it rotates, it should coast to a stop, without bobbing back and forth, at completely random places. Don't find one that's perfect very often. If it always lands horizontal, with the same side down, the prop is heavy across the hub. Sometimes you can shave a little off the hub and fix it, but I won't take very much off, for obvious reasons. I use an older version of this balancer with the wheels instead of the magnets to support the prop. It will also do spinners, boat props and heli- rotors.