prop

[ernest2]

hi! i have a prather 215 for my os 21 rg-m. how do i polish this? which side? and any idea on how i balance the prop? i don't have a prop balancer?

thanks!

ernest

 

[gil sonsino]

Hi Ernest

First of all NEVER run an UNBALANCED prop if you want to keep your model in good shape.

There are some good prop balancer at hobby shops but my personal preference is for the HIGH Point from International.

For years I ve polished both side of my props but must confess that no difference in performance was observed by the way it is a time consuming process.Now I only finish them with polishing rubbers from 3 M you can find at Dental supply(I'm retired dentist)hehe!

 

[gil sonsino]

If you do not feel easy to work with props try some of the pro's like Mark Sholund from Props 4 you.

Here the rubbers I use to finish my props.

Good luck

 

[dannyual767]

gil, my dad is a dentist as well and I'm sure that he could get me these rubber parts. How do you use them. Polishing these props is a real pain and I don't have the coin to pay a pro for his props. I have to enjoy this hobby on a real tight budget!

 

[Mike G]

Cheap prop balancer, take a drill blank that is the same size as the prop shaft, or even an old prop shaft, Next put 2 single edge razor blades glued in a piece of wood with the sharp sides up, set it up level and balance the prop on them! Easy and cheap, store in a safe place.

 

[gil sonsino]

I use these rubbers on my dremel just for finishing NOT BALANCE! Even after you have your prop balanced this rub process can affect the balance so check it out carefully after that again. I wonder your father know what type of rubbs I meant!

Mike got to you the cheapest way to have an accurate prop balancer I used for long time.Hope this help you.

Gill

 

[Big Red Machine]

Here's a site that sells dremel sized polishing wheels mounted or unmounted

http://www.ishor.com/PolishSiliconeWheels.htm

 

[ernest2]

thanks for all your replies! i'll try to call the lhs here if they have prop balancers, if not, then i guess i have to make one.

will regular abrasives, (the ones found on hardwares) ok, like the 150grit or 180grit sandpapers? thanks a lot!

ernest

 

[Mike G]

I use a Top-Flite magnetic prop balancer but I have set them up the other way as well! B)

 

[shoboat]

Danny767,

I don't think $20.00 is too much for a propeller to be balanced and sharpened.

You will spend over $250.00 or more to acquire the necessary tools that it takes

to do a propeller correctly. You will see once you start to buy a: dremel,grinder,

toxic air mask,prop balancers,polishing machine,jewelers tools,3M wheels,rouge,

the list can go on and on. I think $20.00 is a bargain,you will spend more than a

few hours labor also.

Good Luck,

Mark Sholund

Props-4-U

 

[Watercadet]

I agree there Mark. I am not going to do another prop on my own since Mark did one for me. I have a nice Topflight balancer and checked Mark's work (sorry Mark) and it was better than I could have done after hours of file...grind polish check...nope grind polish check... well you get the point. $20 is nothing for a little prop work. $40 for a new 3 blade pro worked is what I call a bargan.

Adam

 

[ernest2]

thanks for all of your replies.

here's my boat so far.

 

[Pennywizz6]

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDS11&P=7 9$ Nice looking boat ernest, your going to have quite the ride when your done.

Phil B)

 

[[email protected]]

Learning to balance and sharpen props is a good thing to do. It's time consuming and frustrating but it apys off. Mother's Mag compound polish will shine them up to that mirror like finish you'll want.

 

[Shnick]

Polishing compound and a felt polishing wheel is all i use:

http://www.dremel.com/productdisplay/Display.asp?SKU=421

ACCESSORIE(S)

#414 1/2" Felt Polishing Wheel

#422 Felt Polishing Tip

#423 1" Cloth Wheel

#429 1" Felt Polishing Wheel

#520 Polishing Wheel

#684 Cleaning / Polishing Bit Set

#421 Polishing Compound

Shnick

 

[dannyual767]

With my current employment situation, there is no way that I could pay for professionally finished props. I know that they offer a big performance advantage but I'm more of a "sport" boater and really haven't ever considered racing. In fact, often I'm just happy that my boats run!

Now time is what I have plenty of ! My prop finishing experiences have been fair. It's time consuming and nasty work. I fear the dust big time! I wear an OSHA respirator and gloves. I've got props that are brand new in the bag and others that could use more sharpening so I need to find the best methods to work these things myself.

 

[gil sonsino]

I'm with Rodney about learning everything concerned to our hobby.

It can be frustrating sometimes but very awardable when you get the right combination of diam/picth that makes your boat fly!

I've been struggling with my .80 saw rigger working on a 2170 for weeks but this challenge definitevely pays off at least when you see the final results.

From a happy boater

Gill

 

[shoboat]

Gill,

How fast are you getting the 80 boat going? I would like to see some pictures

of your 2170's,maybe I could offer a suggestion or two.

Thanks,

Mark Sholund

Props-4-U

 

[gil sonsino]

HI Mark

Best pass was two weeks ago at 113.2 mph turning 2170 diam 64mm cup 7.5

with the 2170 diam 67 cup 6.9 the boat is also fast but maximum speed was 102.4mph.

with 2170 diam 70 cup 7.0 can't turn it in our lake ....maybe in a bigger one!

from left to right cup 7.5(64mm), cup 6.9 (67mm) and cup 7.0(70mm)

 

[gil sonsino]

one more snap.