Landing Products has a couple of propeller balancing recommendations on their website that differ from what you show and say here. First, the tool has two cones--the tapered end of one goes in the rear precision hole and the flat side of the other goes on the front non-precision hole. Also, they say remove material from the heavy blade on both sides of the tip.
under load a prop that is not following the same track will align. its the material flex that makes it track again. If you prob is not tracking by a little you can still use it
Hi, great video! I'm new to RC flying and your video is very educational. One question, why do you add material when balancing the center instead of grinding it as you did with the blades?
@ThermalDream You can remove material from the heavy side with a drill bit if it isn't too far out of balance. Drill in the same "track" (on the heavy side) as the place I dropped the superglue. I didn't add that in the video because you can severely weaken the hub if you remove too much material.
@01161996bubba Balancing a prop is never a waste of time. Sure, if the plane is built strong, vibrations may not harm anything (I'm not a flyer) but a balanced prop can lengthen the life of your engine (especially non bearing engines) and perform better.
One question, would you not only sand the front of the prop? It seems like sanding the back side you are changing the pitch side of the prop. Just a thought.
Nope, only sand the flat (back) side. Sanding the front would change the shape of the airfoil and change the way the air acts as it goes over the prop.
Of all the vids I checked out on how to balance a prop, your the only one to check for lateral runout. Bravo!! Thank you for a very informative video.
I don't get it! Why should props have to be balanced?? Shouldn't they come to you already balanced? This is ridiculous... I know planes don't come balanced because you can use different equipment which alters the CG but what kind of equipment do you use on props? pls reply, ty :D
@youronlycow Holy crap...I'm kinda late on this reply...sorry.
Props are somewhat balanced when you get them and they (for the most part) are usable right out of the package, but the more vibrations coming from the prop means more loose joints on your plane and early bearing failure on the engine. Higher RPM is also an added benefit from a balanced prop.
I bent my balancing rod by accident and never got it true again so, I cut the thing in half and cut the bracket rods back that much the same. Now my balancing rod is 2 and 1/8th long and my base mount rods are 4 in. long.. This fixed it for the average size prop. I dont recommend this for car owners for wheels will not fit the balancing rod again.
Not necessarily. This is static balance. What about aerodynamic one? The two blades may not generate the same lift and drag thus producing a vibration which could destroy de blades depending on the used material.
That's some serious OCD level prop balancing going on..
Also , checking the tracking off of the motor does not actually check the tracking of the prop. Tracking should be checked with the prop mounted and tightened down at normal torque.
@wizprod I haven't tested that theory as all my props go onto nitro or gasoline engines. Do you have the means to test it? could you post the results back here? It would be interesting to know. Thanks for watching.
I've never tested that idea either but I bet battery consumption would be less. 1) the amount of blade change is very minimal and 2) the balanced propeller will run far smoother and results in less wasted energy.
My guess is there would be no measurable change in energy usage but certainly not a measurable increase in power consumption after balancing.
Best ever tutorial & technic I ever see for balancing prop. most of us don't care about balancing the hub and it's important as balancing the blades. Thank you for sharing.
An out of track prop causes lateral vibration at higher RPMs. An out of track prop will wear out your bushings or bearings faster. If your prop is only 1/16" out, I wouldn't worry about it, but if its something like 1/4" or more, I won't use it.
It's very easy to make actually. I used the parts (shaft, cones and magnets) from a Top Flite prop balancer I bought at Tower Hobbies and 3/4" oak for the stand.
I do some large props and the store bought balancer wouldn't allow the prop to fully rotate.
The supplied magnets were not strong enough to hold the large props, so I found some "rare earth" (neodymium) magnets inside an old computer hard drive.
Do you mean the prop balancing cone? If you are using the Top Flite balancer, The cones might be worn out. you can get replacements from tower hobbies. In a pinch, you could use superglue I suppose.
Thank You very much on explaining in detail how to balance a propeller 100% you are the first person that tells it in great detail you have saved my OS Engine Bearings Well Done 10/10!!!
Great tutorial, but i still have one question ... and how about the tips of the propeller? do they both rotate on the same plane, or you still have 2 planes formed by each blade? Thanks
The reason I made it is for that very same reason, I couldn't find info anywhere and this is the method learned from a long time flyer I met just recently.
ready to spin at 20000rpm ,lol
cba999casey 11 hours ago
Great tutorial Thank you.
underhover69 3 days ago
Landing Products has a couple of propeller balancing recommendations on their website that differ from what you show and say here. First, the tool has two cones--the tapered end of one goes in the rear precision hole and the flat side of the other goes on the front non-precision hole. Also, they say remove material from the heavy blade on both sides of the tip.
chipflaming 1 month ago
hi can you point me to a prop balancer that isnt like $20 lol... sounds like a lot for something so simple
chatch15117 2 months ago
under load a prop that is not following the same track will align. its the material flex that makes it track again. If you prob is not tracking by a little you can still use it
GreenGoRC 2 months ago
@GreenGoRC Good tip. thanks.
crispyspa 2 months ago
Hi, great video! I'm new to RC flying and your video is very educational. One question, why do you add material when balancing the center instead of grinding it as you did with the blades?
ThermalDream 2 months ago
@ThermalDream You can remove material from the heavy side with a drill bit if it isn't too far out of balance. Drill in the same "track" (on the heavy side) as the place I dropped the superglue. I didn't add that in the video because you can severely weaken the hub if you remove too much material.
crispyspa 2 months ago
why should it be balenced all the people ant my club say it is a wast of time if the plane is built right
01161996bubba 3 months ago
@01161996bubba Balancing a prop is never a waste of time. Sure, if the plane is built strong, vibrations may not harm anything (I'm not a flyer) but a balanced prop can lengthen the life of your engine (especially non bearing engines) and perform better.
crispyspa 2 months ago
You made that look easy-very interesting, thanks for educating me.
whatnameainttakn 3 months ago
Nice video... Thanks
One question, would you not only sand the front of the prop? It seems like sanding the back side you are changing the pitch side of the prop. Just a thought.
TaSaJaRa 3 months ago
@TaSaJaRa
Thanks.
Nope, only sand the flat (back) side. Sanding the front would change the shape of the airfoil and change the way the air acts as it goes over the prop.
crispyspa 3 months ago
Of all the vids I checked out on how to balance a prop, your the only one to check for lateral runout. Bravo!! Thank you for a very informative video.
TheJohnnysplits 5 months ago
I don't get it! Why should props have to be balanced?? Shouldn't they come to you already balanced? This is ridiculous... I know planes don't come balanced because you can use different equipment which alters the CG but what kind of equipment do you use on props? pls reply, ty :D
youronlycow 5 months ago
@youronlycow Holy crap...I'm kinda late on this reply...sorry.
Props are somewhat balanced when you get them and they (for the most part) are usable right out of the package, but the more vibrations coming from the prop means more loose joints on your plane and early bearing failure on the engine. Higher RPM is also an added benefit from a balanced prop.
crispyspa 3 months ago
I bent my balancing rod by accident and never got it true again so, I cut the thing in half and cut the bracket rods back that much the same. Now my balancing rod is 2 and 1/8th long and my base mount rods are 4 in. long.. This fixed it for the average size prop. I dont recommend this for car owners for wheels will not fit the balancing rod again.
VQ1whales 7 months ago
Not necessarily. This is static balance. What about aerodynamic one? The two blades may not generate the same lift and drag thus producing a vibration which could destroy de blades depending on the used material.
cervantesphantom 7 months ago
ok... now you need a balanced spinner to cover up that thing.
MasherTroll 11 months ago
Thanks for a good video
subban15 11 months ago
hehe, I put a screwdriver through the prop then add tape to the light side till it balances
RCvehicleGuy 1 year ago
@RCvehicleGuy Spinning prop makes the tape move?
grey0powerlessnesss 1 month ago
That's some serious OCD level prop balancing going on..
Also , checking the tracking off of the motor does not actually check the tracking of the prop. Tracking should be checked with the prop mounted and tightened down at normal torque.
kevorkian123 1 year ago
Great vid, however I'm would guess you would increased battery consumption from altering the surface of the prop..? Have you tested this?
wizprod 1 year ago
@wizprod I haven't tested that theory as all my props go onto nitro or gasoline engines. Do you have the means to test it? could you post the results back here? It would be interesting to know. Thanks for watching.
crispyspa 1 year ago
@wizprod
I've never tested that idea either but I bet battery consumption would be less. 1) the amount of blade change is very minimal and 2) the balanced propeller will run far smoother and results in less wasted energy.
My guess is there would be no measurable change in energy usage but certainly not a measurable increase in power consumption after balancing.
3rflyingcom 1 year ago
nice video i have repaired/balanced many paramotor props but never glued anything to side this would mess with efficiency of prop
robindeakin 1 year ago
Best ever tutorial & technic I ever see for balancing prop. most of us don't care about balancing the hub and it's important as balancing the blades. Thank you for sharing.
pc404mo 1 year ago
Cool video but I guess its give and take. Cosmetically your prop looks terrible but your plane flys great!
drewpert15 1 year ago
Very nice DIY...i'm wondering though,
is naptha a kind of glue ?
dreamwisperer 1 year ago
@dreamwisperer
It is a general purpose, low odor, fast evaporating, aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent used to dilute certain paints and finishes.
I use it for removing oils and sticker glue.
Some call it white gas.
Thanks for watching.
crispyspa 1 year ago
@crispyspa thank's for your reply!
dreamwisperer 1 year ago
does a heavier prop will make the propeller run out of track with the other?
heberorozco 1 year ago
@heberorozco
No
crispyspa 1 year ago
@crispyspa my propeller is out of track, i balanced it and its out of track, it doesnt make a vibration so i should not worry about that right?
heberorozco 1 year ago
@heberorozco
An out of track prop causes lateral vibration at higher RPMs. An out of track prop will wear out your bushings or bearings faster. If your prop is only 1/16" out, I wouldn't worry about it, but if its something like 1/4" or more, I won't use it.
crispyspa 1 year ago
Great video tutorial, Thanks!
Finally I learned how to do the balance completed.
I always got stuck on the part when the 2 blades stay level..
desertsuneagle 1 year ago
yes....thanks for the info, very detailed and my prop turns and sounds like a champ!
61MAF 1 year ago
Fantastic video !!!!!! thank you for teaching me !
stormranger6 1 year ago
Did you make the Rig? And if so, care to share the plans? BTW great vid sir! 100% win!
Haglaz76 1 year ago
@Haglaz76
It's very easy to make actually. I used the parts (shaft, cones and magnets) from a Top Flite prop balancer I bought at Tower Hobbies and 3/4" oak for the stand.
I do some large props and the store bought balancer wouldn't allow the prop to fully rotate.
The supplied magnets were not strong enough to hold the large props, so I found some "rare earth" (neodymium) magnets inside an old computer hard drive.
Thank you, and thanks for watching.
crispyspa 1 year ago
Great Vid, I didn't know how to balance the hub, now I do. Cheers 5*
IEATSRT 1 year ago
dude, how do you use a propeller locating ring?, mines keeps getting loose, and i dont know if i could just use super glue?
eggplantparrot 2 years ago
Do you mean the prop balancing cone? If you are using the Top Flite balancer, The cones might be worn out. you can get replacements from tower hobbies. In a pinch, you could use superglue I suppose.
Thanks for watching.
crispyspa 2 years ago
another way is to drill a small hole and screw a bolt into the plastic
30GB 2 years ago
Thanks! this is a very nice tutorial!
I really needed it! 5 stars!
gator966 2 years ago
Like everyone mentioned well explained, I finally know what a prop balancing mean.
LTF85199 2 years ago
Thank You very much on explaining in detail how to balance a propeller 100% you are the first person that tells it in great detail you have saved my OS Engine Bearings Well Done 10/10!!!
Cheers
Stan230
stan230 2 years ago
my pleasure.
crispyspa 2 years ago
Great tutorial, but i still have one question ... and how about the tips of the propeller? do they both rotate on the same plane, or you still have 2 planes formed by each blade? Thanks
xfastV8 2 years ago
The tips of a good prop will have no more than an 1/8 difference. The closer the better.
crispyspa 2 years ago
Thanks for taking the time and effort to put this video out. I couldn't find info on how to balance the HUB anywhere.
Thanks
trpastor 2 years ago
You're welcome.
The reason I made it is for that very same reason, I couldn't find info anywhere and this is the method learned from a long time flyer I met just recently.
crispyspa 2 years ago