PT Prop Help

[baxternick]

I just bought a PT prop. It's a 32X10. I thought it was a good prop because of the weight and all. Well I get it home and a few fellow club members inform me that these have a bad tendency to delaminate and come apart. Has this happened or was it a just a freak incident? Also I have had tons of props but never had this happen. As I tightened the prop on the plane the prop made few small cracking sounds. I wasn't even tight as I like to usually make my props but I stopped because the sound scared me. Is this normal?

[Stainless Skills]

From what I have heard, some of the first batch props had this problem.

I am guessing that PT reclaimed all their props and now all the props are in perfect condition.

When someone did have a prop that would delaminate PT would replace it for free, so they have probably already taken care of the problem but I dont know for sure.

[Flyinhigh]

If it is an old batch it will simply have 32X10, and yes they are notorious for coming apart, first at the trailing edge. This can be checked by lightly torquing the prop blade from the tip. If it is an older 32X10 - I wouldn't use it. They didn't have enough epoxy and are feverishly notorious for exploding during run-up or flight. Not worth the risk.

If it is from the newer batches, it will say 32X10N - the 'N' is for new. It is a bit heavier than the older models as it has more epoxy. I fly a 32X10 on my 3W 150 CS and it is a great prop. Quiet and powerful, quick to spool, excellent thrust and down-line breaking.

Mine made the 'crackling' sound when I first put it on - like rice-crispies or breaking glass. Almost everyone I've talked too who uses these props experiences the same phenomenon, but I have yet to hear of a single 'N' series failing, either in flight or running-up on the ground. I have better than 50 flights on mine now. If it would make you feel better, torque down the bolts to the 37 ft/lbs (or whatever is the recommended torque these days) and then pull the prop back off to inspect for cracks around the hub. I'm pretty sure you won't see any and the sound is compressing epoxy internally. If visible cracks are present and the prop is new, I would consider sending it back for warranty replacement or a different brand, for peace of mind. - For what it's worth, I've been buying Mejzliks since this ordeal began several months ago. Exploding props are nothing to goof around with, imho

[tavis newman]

Yes I have a PT 30X10 that is delaminating at the leading edge after 20 flights and I am still flying it.I also noticed that I have had to balance them at the hub and tip by adding CA drops to the tip and sticky velcro to the light side of the hub and saturate it with CA until balance is good.Oh yea and the center hole on all of them was drilled at a slight angle by 1 degree, which is consistent on all 5 of my props.I usually just tighten them down and the gap between the back of the prop hub and the motor hub goes away.They take a lot of work to tune them.They are not much cheaper than Mejlic But hey they preform great (quick spool up) love it!

[Flyinhigh]

Now that sounds like a thin line .....

For what its worth, I've never had a CF prop that didn't need to be ballanced both ways, from any brand.

I don't know why they say they are factory balanced, unless I'm just too picky; I prefer my props to hold at any position on the balancer.

[tavis newman]

Yes I expect the same as you Flyinhigh. But I have already bought 5 of them and it is what it is. I may as well make the best of it and just smile.Although they do proform great if you take the time to balance them.We all learn from experience don't we.If I could turn back I would have spent an extra $10 bux on Medjlic and sacrificed a small amount of spool up time for for a better quality prop.Its a tradeoff like everything in this hobbie.

[notorious_benny]

I had a 32-10 PT delmainate on me also, it happened slowly over about 50 flights ( I caught it before it exploded). I have since had the prop replaced free of charge.

Yes the N designation is for new, but PT have found too many customers mistake it for narrow. To my knowledge (and according to my local distributor) the latest new series have dropped the N designation again, I had to wait for the latest shipment which has only just arrived in OZ last week.

The new prop has only one flight on it, what you can do to check the integrity of the prop is to bolt it to the motor and pull forward on the blade from the tip, you will see the leading edge open up and if you listen carefully you can hear it 'crackling'. My new one dosnt do this at all, I am however wary of it after my first one.

This new PT prop is closer to the weight of the Mejlik than my orginal one, I still like the way it pulls the model better than the Mejlik, however I am noticing in the cold air we have here in Aus at the moment that it is a noiser prop than the Mejlik also, gotta be more careful with throttle control...... the 32-12 is probably worth a try.

[crhammond]

I just got a 28x10 from the new batch and they have dropped the "N" - it just says 28x10. The font for the 28x10 label is different from the old 27x10...

I have one older 27x10 that is fine after about 200 flights. I also have the 27x10N with no problems after 20 lights. The N prop is very heavy. I guess I have been lucky as I have read of a few people having problems.

I never had to balance my Mejzlik props - they were always good. I have not checked any of my PT's... I guess I should! I have had some Biela props that needed a lot of balancing.

[TeamFlatout]

I have never balanced a Mezlik prop. Never had any problems with them at all!! Slap em on and fly is what I say. I run a 28x10 on my 120 and a 32x10 on my DA 150. Smooth as silk at idle and on the throttle.