How would I balance a prop?

by Guest 2010-04-17, 20:02

How would I do it?
Do I need a special tool?
-
Sam

by **Rich** 2010-04-17, 20:27

yes it's called a prop balancer
something like this
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7702

by Guest 2010-04-17, 22:28

Ok
So how would I add/remove weight from a prop?
Add lead?

by **Tim** 2010-04-17, 22:43

Errr, no, If the prop requires lead to get it to balance then take it back to whoever sold it to you!
normally a couple of coats of varnish or similar on the light blade should suffice.

by Guest 2010-04-17, 23:38

I must say that I have never balanced or felt the need to balance a prop on a fixed wing model. Wooden helicopter blades need balancing but the carbon ones come matched to within a gram so you can just fit and fly.

DaveS How would I balance a prop? Icon_biggrin

by **Mark Barnes** 2010-04-18, 07:54

Sam Thomas wrote:Ok
So how would I add/remove weight from a prop?
Add lead?

Give the trailing edge of the heavy blade a light sand

by **Tim** 2010-04-18, 09:27

Props should always be balanced, and the recommended method by many is to add to the light blade rather than remove material form the heavy one- however, I confess to occasionally doing as Mark does, except when he is driving. How would I balance a prop? Icon_biggrin

by **Mark Barnes** 2010-04-18, 10:29

Intersting, i dont think ive ever added, i always remove

by **Andy Sayle** 2010-04-18, 10:51

On the resin based electric props, it is sometimes incredibly difficult to get lacquer and paint to stick to the blades in order to add weight to the light blade. It is far easier to sand the trailing edge of the heavy blade.

Andy

by Brian Colclough 2010-04-18, 11:40

I've always done it with either paint or clear lacquer, never resorted to violence, yet pirat

by **Allan Patrick** 2010-04-18, 20:50

Sam, It is very important to balance props properly whether IC or leccy. An imbalanced prop causes vibration, which can be a real killer to models. An expensive balancer is not required, just the axle part of the balancer shown in the HC link Rich posted y'day is fine if used carefully and these can be picked up for a couple of quid or so. Even a drill bit can be used at a pinch but that is not recommended.

To balance the prop, first is it wood or plastic? If wood then the lighter blade can have weight added to it by a coat of lacquer or varnish. Recheck after each coat and sand back if too much weight has been added. Before the first coat give a light sand so the varnish has something to key to and ensure there's no trace of oil! Several tries with drying time are likely to be needed to get it spot on

If plastic then with some fine sandpaper gently sand the back of the heavy blade over most of its area but not at the hub or tip. Ensure you don't change the airfoil shape. No more than a very small amount of material should need to be removed. While at it this is a good opportunity to remove any mould flash from the both LEs and TEs of the prop

All this assumes there was no damage to the prop before hand and that it was reasonably in balance before starting. If the prop is wildly out or damaged discard it!

by Guest 2010-04-18, 20:53

ok
Well my grandad is off to florida and I can get him to get me a prop balancer, and a master airscrew 11x6 plastic prop

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