Prop balancing and marking.

[RADRICH]

Would like to hear everybody's thoughts on how they prefer to balance their wood and plastic props...what tools, techniques and balancers they use AND (most importantly) how they mark their prop tips without disturbing balance and still be able to see the mark while prop is rotating. What color do you like best? I have kids that are scared of prop. On second thought..I"M scared of prop. lol (Saw first-hand what a 3-blade prop, AT IDLE, does to a hand! ...not mine. He bled like a sive and it scared me to death...well not to DEATH...but close. But that's another thread! All replies are greatly appreciated! (Wasn't sure what forum to put this in but I guess the newbees would probably like to know the answer to this question, too.)

[wizard]

I use the Dubro roller balancer. To balance the prop I use spray Lacquer. Just build up the light blade with light coats of spray. Let it dry well between coats. Always let the prop dry for a few hours and recheck after you think you have it balanced because the lacquer gets lighter as it dries. If you want to mark the tips, just use a spray paint before you balance the prop. Here is a pic of the balancer I use.

Before anyone comments on the prop in the photo. It is one that was on the shelf just put on the balancer for the photo. It is one that got cracked and removed from service. It was saved to be used in a non-flying project.

[topflight36]

i use the top flight balancer and on wood you do the spray like the guy above said. But on plastic I was alway told you scrap the trailing edge of the heavy blade with a exacto knife at a 90 degree angle till you get it balanced right.

[RADRICH]

Do you spray the lacquer on the front or the back of the blade?

[RADRICH]

	Quote: Originally Posted by wizard
	I use the Dubro roller balancer. To balance the prop I use spray Lacquer. Just build up the light blade with light coats of spray. Let it dry well between coats. Always let the prop dry for a few hours and recheck after you think you have it balanced because the lacquer gets lighter as it dries. If you want to mark the tips, just use a spray paint before you balance the prop. Here is a pic of the balancer I use. Before anyone comments on the prop in the photo. It is one that was on the shelf just put on the balancer for the photo. It is one that got cracked and removed from service. It was saved to be used in a non-flying project.

How big that prop?

[wizard]

	Quote: Originally Posted by RADRICH
	Do you spray the lacquer on the front or the back of the blade?

Normally I just spray the front of the blade. If it is very out of balance I will spray both.

Also as topflight stated this is for wood props.

	Quote: Originally Posted by RADRICH
	How big that prop?

It is a Vess 23 inch

[OverTemp]

How about carbon props?

[RADRICH]

	Quote: Originally Posted by topflight36
	i use the top flight balancer and on wood you do the spray like the guy above said. But on plastic I was alway told you scrap the trailing edge of the heavy blade with a exacto knife at a 90 degree angle till you get it balanced right.

If you did that at a 90, wouldn't that make the airfoil narrower and thus reduce lift?

[RADRICH]

	Quote: Originally Posted by wizard
	I use the Dubro roller balancer. To balance the prop I use spray Lacquer. Just build up the light blade with light coats of spray. Let it dry well between coats. Always let the prop dry for a few hours and recheck after you think you have it balanced because the lacquer gets lighter as it dries. If you want to mark the tips, just use a spray paint before you balance the prop. Here is a pic of the balancer I use. Before anyone comments on the prop in the photo. It is one that was on the shelf just put on the balancer for the photo. It is one that got cracked and removed from service. It was saved to be used in a non-flying project.

When you say "light coats", do you mean a 'dusting spray' or a 'wet coating' along the whole blade or just at the end or the middle of the blade?

[pitviper51]

great thread rad, iv seen bill carveing off bits on his gassers, it was a APC prop, so it didnt need a sealer,, works great, as for the sealer, wouldnt a light caot of CA do the job?? wizard that looks like the big prop from the yak hehe, and its in one piece!!! as for device magneting works for me
mike

[RADRICH]

Wizard, don't let Viper dog you like that!!!! LOL I wasn't gonna ask you that question myself! LOL

[pitviper51]

here ya go.... ill be breaken plenty of blade once i get a heli hehehe
mike