Unbalanced High Speed Props.

[Pibber]

High speed props can tear your boat apart before you know it's happening !!!I read somewhere resently that most props especially metal alloy are far from balanced let alone polished. That even RTR models haven't been done to a high degree of finish. These ever so slightly out of balance props can cause a lot of harm to a boat from stem to stern, drive lines, radio systems, and other components. I myself am looking for a good balancer but having trouble making up my mind whether to go with a floating system from TopFlite or one like the Aquacraft Grimracer balancer. So, who has one and how do you like or dislike it ???

[spacephrawg]

High speed props can tear your boat apart before you know it's happening !!!I read somewhere resently that most props especially metal alloy are far from balanced let alone polished. That even RTR models haven't been done to a high degree of finish. These ever so slightly out of balance props can cause a lot of harm to a boat from stem to stern, drive lines, radio systems, and other components. I myself am looking for a good balancer but having trouble making up my mind whether to go with a floating system from TopFlite or one like the Aquacraft Grimracer balancer. So, who has one and how do you like or dislike it ???

I would like to see what's covered in this thread. My props are not high speed and I didn't balance them yet. I've run the boat a few times with them and have had no trouble whatsoever. The whole boat resonates with vibrations even without the props on the shafts. Always has, even with new shafts. I'm not concerned. It's better now than it was when i got it. However reading your post has me a bit concerned. I didnt even know balancers could be bought, or that they exist.

[Pibber]

No Need To Respond To This Thread As I Have Found The Information I Seek. Thanks For Looking In.

[retoabcr]

Top Flite is good but buy a 1/8" long drill bit and cut off the bit part s and sharpen both ends. Reason the factory prop rod generally isn't real true. I don't know about the AC balancer and it might be better, don't know!

[Pibber]

I have done some research on this now and have concluded that there are two out there of very good quality. 1-Aquacraft GrimRacer Precision Balancer and 2-TopFlite Magnetic Balancer(floating type).
The AQ uses an AL extruded base perched on three adjustable feet and a centered bubble level in the middle of the base(this balancer must be as level as possible or the prop shaft could roll off the balancer) There are three different sizes of balancing bars for the props which rest on two parallel bars. I think that this type of balancer is prone to the slightest bit of dust on the parallel bars and must be keep super clean as gravity is what keeps the prop bar rolling on the parallel bars. It's a good unit and well built and generally under $30 USD, ready to go.
The TopFlite Floating Balancer is designed to balance boat props, large and small airplane props and spinners as well as ducted fans, wheels, flywheels or whatever you're looking to balance as long as it isn't too heavy for the opposing magnets to hold up. The prop(or whatever) is mounted to the prop bar and centered with adjustable conical keepers to center the prop or whatever on the bar. The prop bar is sharpened at both ends to allow the best possible freedom of rotation. This bar is then suspended between two very strong ceramic magnets attached to vertical posts. It's the magnets that hold the double-ended pointed bar in place yet allow virtually frictionless rotation. This type of unit doesn't need to be perfectly level, close counts.
After looking at both models and if you have the means and if you are a reasonable precision tool maker and if you want a nifty little project, you could likely whip a balancer out in a day, or two. Me, I'm going to buy one.

[spacephrawg]

I have done some research on this now and have concluded that there are two out there of very good quality. 1-Aquacraft GrimRacer Precision Balancer and 2-TopFlite Magnetic Balancer(floating type).
The AQ uses an AL extruded base perched on three adjustable feet and a centered bubble level in the middle of the base(this balancer must be as level as possible or the prop shaft could roll off the balancer) There are three different sizes of balancing bars for the props which rest on two parallel bars. I think that this type of balancer is prone to the slightest bit of dust on the parallel bars and must be keep super clean as gravity is what keeps the prop bar rolling on the parallel bars. It's a good unit and well built and generally under $30 USD, ready to go.
The TopFlite Floating Balancer is designed to balance boat props, large and small airplane props and spinners as well as ducted fans, wheels, flywheels or whatever you're looking to balance as long as it isn't too heavy for the opposing magnets to hold up. The prop(or whatever) is mounted to the prop bar and centered with adjustable conical keepers to center the prop or whatever on the bar. The prop bar is sharpened at both ends to allow the best possible freedom of rotation. This bar is then suspended between two very strong ceramic magnets attached to vertical posts. It's the magnets that hold the double-ended pointed bar in place yet allow virtually frictionless rotation. This type of unit doesn't need to be perfectly level, close counts.
After looking at both models and if you have the means and if you are a reasonable precision tool maker and if you want a nifty little project, you could likely whip a balancer out in a day, or two. Me, I'm going to buy one.

Got a picture of this?

[Pibber]

Here's the website for Top-Flite and there is also a dealer locator, close to you, that might have them in stock. www.top-flite.com/accys/topq5700.html

:eek: A WORD OF WARNING !!!!![/B] You will likely be told this when you get a balancer but if you should try building your own, you should know this!

[B]When working on metal props, due to their metal composition, Eye protection and a Dust Mask must be worn. Metal dust can cause serious eye irritation/damage and inhalation of dust could cause cancer.

[patmat2350]

That warning is specifically for beryllium-copper, oft found in Octura props.

[spacephrawg]

Here's the website for Top-Flite and there is also a dealer locator, close to you, that might have them in stock. www.top-flite.com/accys/topq5700.html

:eek: A WORD OF WARNING !!!!![/B] You will likely be told this when you get a balancer but if you should try building your own, you should know this!

[B]When working on metal props, due to their metal composition, Eye protection and a Dust Mask must be worn. Metal dust can cause serious eye irritation/damage and inhalation of dust could cause cancer.

That is good advice for working with any substance that will produce clouds of dust. In my freshman year of art school, I got this great book about health hazards for artists and the precautions that can be taken. I recommend that craftsmen get this book too. I'll post the bibliographic information when I can find it. It says that when working with metals, it is also important to wear gloves because the dust can get embedded in your fingers and isn't good for you. The book gives a brief rundown of metals to be especially careful about. Copper is probably the most innocuous, however various bronze alloys have nasty stuff in them. My boss has me polish bronze casts all the time at work and he says he never wears gloves because he can feel the rough spots more easily. I think that's loony. Be safe, not sorry.

[Hoghappy]

I've tried them both...they both work...I think it's a matter of preference...I like my Grim Racer one best.

[Shaun Hendricks]

My Top-Flite has balanced a lot of things, from Aircraft props to boat props to u-joint parts, etc. I've even balanced nuts on it that were going to be on high speed rotating shafts. I had a dremel bit that gave me a lot of vibration. I balanced it on my Top-Flight and poof! No more vibration.

I do admit it is not very good at balancing shafts themselves unless the ends are sharpened. I've contemplated making a set of centering 'cone' ends for it that would let me balance out shafts without modifying them.

[mxz70017]

Pibber I own the Topflite mag balancer.I find It to be very nice to use.Be careful when getting the pointed shafts ready to go.I have had a couple chipping incidents on the edges!!!The magnets are very strong an had the ends connect not so softly a couple times!!I think It also could have been me hurrying as well...LOL.Patience Is key as well haveing a well balanced prop also..

[Pibber]

I've decided that I will get the magnetic balancer and fortunately for me, I think, I have a friend that has a super lathe, King I think. He loves using it and I can always get him to make me new balancing rods. His neighbour is a retired marine engineer and if one doesn't have an answer the other certainly will. There is also a smaller lathe available, Unilathe or something like that but whatever, whichever is used, I'm thinking that my props should be just about perfect. :cool:
I want to thank everyone that chimed in on this thread, it's been very informative. Thanks.

[cyberhoops]

As long as we are talking balancers I would throw in the Kintec Racing balancer.

Kintec Racing (http://kintecracing.com/Supervee_27_upgrades.html)

The balancer is about 3/4 down the page. I found it to be much smoother and more accurate than the stock TopFlite balancer.

[Pibber]

As long as we are talking balancers I would throw in the Kintec Racing balancer.

Kintec Racing (http://kintecracing.com/Supervee_27_upgrades.html)

The balancer is about 3/4 down the page. I found it to be much smoother and more accurate than the stock TopFlite balancer.

That's the type I've been looking for. I don't need to balance big props like plane stuff. Where are they located?

[Pibber]

:eek: My Top-Flite Magnetic Balancer arrived yesterday and I've had a chance to try my two props on it. One is a two blade and the other a three blade. The two blade isn;'t too bad but no sharp leading edge and a very dull finish. The three blade is definitely heavy on one of the blades but needs all over cleaning up before sharpening and balancing. The balancer comes with a basic manual but not in detail. I did find an article online that gives step by step sharpening and final balancing in great detail. Unfortunately I did a desk top clean up and the peice of paper that I had written down the site was accidently trashed, no doubt you know how that sometimes happens; duhhhh. I've searched and can't find it ! :censored:
So......... does anyone know where I find detailed step by step information on how to Sharpen and Balance a boat prop ?

[Kcal]

To be honest unless you are doing massive reworking of the prop basically you sand/file/dremel it till it’s sharp and has no casting lines and looks pretty much the way you want it to then you sand/file off the back of the blade till it freely rotates on the balancer and stops in a different place every time. Finally hit it with a bit of steel wool to polish it and clear it if you’d like it to stay shiny or don’t if you’d like it to dull. Once your doing it you will quickly see how it goes and what your looking for, have fun with the three bladed one I know I did with mine, also I have props I did this too a decade or so ago and they are still in balance so take your time and remember you only have to do it once! Hope this helps.

[spacephrawg]

what brand of props come pre-ballanced?

[mxz70017]

This Is Andy Kunz of OSE site.He I think best describes how to sharpen an balance a prop best.
http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/info-pages/sharpenandbalance.php

[Kcal]

For a fee several places will sell you a sharpened and balanced prop (yours or theirs) including OSE, there are also folks who can do a lot more in the relm of custom (cupping, cut down, extc.) if you feel that is warranted.

[spacephrawg]

Don't Grim-racer props come ballanced?

[Grimracer]

Space,

We MFG the props as close as we can to balanced. The process of casting the props has allot to do with the balance.. Its all about closing the mold. We also have special process that helps get that shaft bore down the center.

But with all that said, rotating objects like these little props still might need to be balanced.

To learn how go to.
http://manuals.hobbico.com/aqu/prop_sharp-bal_guide.pdf

Grimracer

[Kcal]

Grimracer IMO it was super-nice of you to chime in and so quickly, while I have not used one of your props the next time I buy a prop it will be one of yours. If your products are anything like the support they should be quite good!

[Grimracer]

Thanks Kcal...

ROCK ON!

Grimracer

[Pibber]

Don't Grim-racer props come ballanced?
My Prather 270/2 prop which came with my ProBoat Cat-55 is stated in the manual as prebalanced and sharpened. Oh Contrare mon fraire !!!
I tested it on my newly aquired magnetic balancer and it IS balanced blade to blade but it is OUT of balance on one entire side of the prop. In other words, the prop comes to rest at the same place with the blades level but it is always the same side up which is opposite to the heavy half; out of balance.
A properly balanced prop will come to rest at all different positions. When it favours the same stop position, it is out of balance.
Now, my stock Prather 270/2 being sharpened, that is as far from accurate as it can be. It also needs to be polished but not to a gleaming shine but rather smooth with a slight satin textured surface to reduce cavitation.
My Grimracer 67x105/3 is heavy on one blade but otherwise pretty good. I haven't done any real work on it yet or will for a while. It is polished too much but it is nicely cupped and sharper than the Prather but not yet enough.
I would say that every prop should be thoroughly checked, as I intend on doing, especially if it is to in high speed situations.

[Kcal]

Pibber do you do anything to preserve and maintain the satin finish of your props such as sealer, wax or anything or do you let them patina naturally?