Pietenpol-List: wood prop balancing, torqing, and blade tracking

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon May 14, 2012 2:45 pm

Original Posted By: "Greg Cardinal"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: wood prop balancing, torqing, and blade trackingBeing somewhat of a lazy sort about some things I've let my annual prop relax-and-retorque of the boltsgo a few years and even more importantly had not balanced or tracked the prop in a while.Last fall I was experiencing some vibrations that were a bit annoying in flight so a few weeks ago I removedmy prop, sanded it all down and refinished it. Ala the Tony Bingelis books I balanced the prop with a simplehome made balancing tool and used appropriate amounts of clear spray lacquer on the light blade (allowing itto dry overnight) to get a perfect balance.I tracked the prop with appropriate shims (brown grocery store bag folded behind the prop works just fine) againala the Bingelis books and boy what a difference after it was all final torqued and done.Smooth and silky on takeoff and in cruise. It really makes a huge difference to take the time to balance, torque,and track your wood prop on a regular basis. Metal props can benefit from the same treatment but with the weatherextremes in temperature and humidity changes in Ohio wood props need a bit more annual TLC. It paid off nicely.Mike C.________________________________________________________________________________

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Mon May 14, 2012 4:03 pm

Original Posted By: Cuy, Michael D. (GRC-RXD0)[ASRC AEROSPACE CORP]
Beautiful, Mike.How far off was the tracking? How close were you able to adjust it?Greg Cardinal ----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Tue May 15, 2012 9:42 am

Original Posted By: "Cuy, Michael D. (GRC-RXD0)[ASRC AEROSPACE CORP]"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: wood prop balancing, torqing, and blade trackingGreg- 9" from the tip my one blade was about 3/16" out of track. After I did several iterationsof tightening, shimming, loosening, repeat I was able to get the track within about 1/32" of an inchwhich is the closest I've ever had it to true. The paperwork that came with my prop said 1/16" wasacceptable.Mike P. is right, the finish was horrible but I still decided to keep it and not give the prop away. It is myair conditioning system too.Mike C.________________________________________________________________________________

Brodhead Pietenpol Association