Balancing prop hubs
04-08-2005, 09:49 PM
#1
Balancing prop hubs
I've noticed on 3 different brand props that the hubs were pretty far off. From Pro Zinger 20x10, Bambula 20x8, and Airwild 21x8 NX, they all took some epoxy on one side of the hub to balance. The tips were pretty close to being balanced on all of them except the Zinger. But the hubs were all off. I guess all I have to say is to watch this on your props since this can cause a lot of vibration on your engines and planes. I think a lot of lost mufflers happed from this vibration too.
By the way I used a brand new Dubro prop balancer to balance all of these. It's a great balancer for big props.
This is how I balance: Do the tips before the hub since a heavy tip on top will fall and make you think it's the hub. Also a heavy tip on the bottom will make you think the hub is balanced. I add clear coat to the light tip on the prop to balance the tips. The way to check your hubs is to put the prop straight up and down and see which way it falls (make sure the tips are balanced first). Then I sand and add 5 minute epoxy to the light side of the hub. Keep pushing the epoxy with a toothpick if it starts to move out of place. Keep doing this until it sets.
I know people have their ways of doing this but this works for me. The props are dead nuts perfect when I'm all done.
By the way I used a brand new Dubro prop balancer to balance all of these. It's a great balancer for big props.
This is how I balance: Do the tips before the hub since a heavy tip on top will fall and make you think it's the hub. Also a heavy tip on the bottom will make you think the hub is balanced. I add clear coat to the light tip on the prop to balance the tips. The way to check your hubs is to put the prop straight up and down and see which way it falls (make sure the tips are balanced first). Then I sand and add 5 minute epoxy to the light side of the hub. Keep pushing the epoxy with a toothpick if it starts to move out of place. Keep doing this until it sets.
I know people have their ways of doing this but this works for me. The props are dead nuts perfect when I'm all done.
04-09-2005, 11:39 AM
#3
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RE: Balancing prop hubs
IMO this is a waste of time and effort. If you balance the prop nut you might as well balance the entire engine completely put together. IE washer, drive washer, crankshaft etc. I have never balanced a spinner yet and didn't have any problems.
Good Luck
Good Luck
04-09-2005, 04:20 PM
#5
RE: Balancing prop hubs
No I mean balancing the actual prop, not the nut, washer etc. The hole can be drilled of center and the prop will not balance correctly. Also varying wood density can cause it. If you are confused or not interested don't worry about it. Most people don't balance the props, I prefer to and actually like doing it (I'm sick I know).
ORIGINAL: Deadeye
Is that what he means? Balancing a seperate prop hub?
Is that what he means? Balancing a seperate prop hub?
