mike1714 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 You can folllow my antics on the message on the Kent section. I broke my first prop this morning. It had a small split about 18mm and i flew with it, but noticed vibration through the chassis and risers. I returned to my landing field after completing 55 minute flight. The prop broke as I ended up on my rear end! My question is wodden replacement or carbon fibre? I am a 9 hour pilot of sorts and i am thinking whether I will be breaking more in the future so should I go the wooden route? Are the carbon fibre more resilient to damage? Would appreciate comments so I can decide which rout eto take. Fortunately, money is not a problem in this case. Thanks Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Wooden They are cheaper than Carbon Pete b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1714 Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 Further to above my cage might be out? Not sure? I have 125mm clearance at the top and only 25mm clerance at the bottom. Brobably didnt help ages ago when I was doing a hang test and the ropes snapped!!!!!! Enough said!!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_P Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Wood, definitely. More robust, more repairable by the individual, and SO much cheaper. If a carbon one is the same profile, it won't produce any more thrust, although I've been told they can be a bit quieter. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones who now goes forward and NEVER dings another. I would suggest that the odds are probably in favour of at least another one biting the dust (probably literally) Having said that, if money really is no object, if it was me, I'd probably keep two or three carbon ones because they look pretty. PK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1714 Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 Thanks Phil..............................................................wooden it is then. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1714 Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 How does one balance it? Is it easy to do or do they come balanced? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dantheman Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 How does one balance it? Is it easy to do or do they come balanced? Most come balanced, don't forget to send photos of your broken prop to James Davies as he does excellent repairs which are worth doing to keep your old prop as a spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1714 Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 Dan when i suss out how to send or post a photo will do. But I think its beyond that!!!! Does one just straighten the cage.............................with suitably positioned force? Just wondered? Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_P Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 When straightening cages, heat is your friend. Nylon stringing can be replaced with strimmer line. Balancing any prop (in the unlikely event it comes to you unbalanced) can be done with coats of lacquer on the light blade. Well worth doing, it really cuts vibration. In the future, minor dings can be repaired with super glue and baking powder, splits with waterproof wood glue or epoxy. Keep up to it and you'll reap the rewards in the long run. PK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike1714 Posted June 30, 2009 Author Share Posted June 30, 2009 Thanks for the advice. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Hi Mike, I've been through what you're going thru at the moment. I found that my clearance was less at the bottom of the cage than the top, so as you say suitably positioned force to make everything straight, or back to it's original shape. My cage is aluminium (Fresh Breeze) so it was fairly easy to make it look right again. I hadn't realised that the two bottom sections had become mis-shapen because I keep the motor on the bottom half all the time, it's a 4 section cage with centre motor frame. A couple of awkward tumbles caused the distortion, plus prop damage. The prop saga is that I repaired the original carbon fibre twice after taking the tips off, then smashed it good time (probably weakened by the previous dings). I bought a new scimitar carbon one (£ouch) and have now repaired the tips twice on this one. The replacement is definately stronger than the original. I use glass fibre loaded epoxy resin to re-mould the tips and it only comes off when dinged again I am getting good at moulding tips so I would go for a carbon prop if I need another. It would be better not to fall over of cours Cheers, Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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