HorizonHobby.com How To - Prop Balancing

[@theegyptianforrera1061]

Thanks for sharing. I've got this balancer and the shaft was far from straight. So after straightening it as much as possible I found the setup you used to balance the large wooden prop gives more accurate result, when the prop is as close as possible to the mount because if there's any deflection in the shaft it will be minimal at the end of the shaft.

[@Ralfscho]

This is the best prop balancing tutorial. Couldn't get the Dubro anywhere here in Holland, so had to wait 3 weeks for it to arrive from US. It was well worth the wait. I tried a different one, but I guess the Dubro True Spin is the only real working prop balancer.

[@gregohare6412]

Great video. I have used the same basic method for years. The difference in vibration on a 29" prop is dramatic before and after balancing. If you think hub can't be balanced; Just balance blades then hold them level and then rotate 180 degrees. If they won't stay level both ways, the hub is off. Very simple. Also when you identify the heavy location, mark the oposite point directly above, which will give you the exact location for adding ca counter weight. Instead of sanding blades, I use laquer on back side of lighter blade. And always balance blades first.

[@HciContractor]

Great advice. Thank you!

[@mickvk]

In some plastic prop hubs where there are hollow spaces I use modeling clay to add weight. I never saw the vertical drawn into four zones but now I understand why balancing has been vexing to me - it's not just the tip weight. Great job guys.

[@bkphotovideo9696]

Hello Horizon Hobby; great video, and great product. One thing I noticed early on, when working with some of the props involving plastic materials, such as those used for multi-rotor copters, while cleaning off the shaved plastic filings during balancing, it is possible to generate a static charge on the surface of the blade, due to the friction of the wiping process. This static charge will provide erroneous balancing response as the static charges are attracted to, or repelled from, the metal Du Bro metal hardware, and your fingers if you too have accumulated a static charge. The fix: perform your balancing on a static dissipative electronics mat (ESD Kit), with wrist strap, and rinse the shaved plastic particles off the prop being worked with room temp water, blot dry with a paper towel or micro fiber cloth.

[@bear3238]

Anybody come up with a method for balancing foldable props?

[@ChoctawFlute]

That product really should come with its own blocks for leveling.

[@ZeeshanZakariaz]

I am new to the world of flying machines, and your video was very helpful to understand this very important thing about balancing.

[@kevorkian123]

Horizon REALLY needs to caption its videos .. For 3 reasons .. 1) Lots of folks ( Myself included ) may watch videos where audio is not an option ( At work , during breaks and such ) 2) RC is an international hobby. It is very easy to translate captions into other languages ( Google / you tube has very easy tools for this ) 3) What about the deaf molders ?? I am sure they would like to take advantage of this knowledge ..

[@timbacchus]

This video is the best on this subject.

[@mikebarkasi6467]

Great Video - Do you have any tips on balancing "Folding" Tri - Props?

[@jgoudeau207]

Thank you for taking the time to care for us. Well respected from all of us here in south Florida!

[@bobuilt3199]

This video was very helpful. Great job. I will recommend it to all my friends.

[@jowellnim9459]

This is gonna take a loooooong time for my quad............ lots of patience required :D

[@xKmotx]

I have been balancing my props since the 1970's, but an old dog can still learn new tricks, and I learned something from this video. I have an original High Point balancer, I'm sure you are familiar with it. The Dubro looks very similar so it must be an excellent tool for the money. I think you should do a Part 2 of this and show how to balance spinners and also note for the car guys they can balance nitro flywheels and also their wheels and tires, and boat props can also be balanced on it. :-)

[@AvernaBonani]

When he switched it over and put it over the edge of the table I made a facepalm and asked myself why I didn't think of that! Great vid!

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Outstanding instructional video. Ordering Du-Bro balancer today. Thanks

[@StephenBSinclair]

Thanks John this was very useful to a newcomer, and will help us with reduced noise in our aerial footage.

[@Andingo86]

This video helped a ton, I balanced my prop for the timber x and it's so quiet when flying.

[@6Sally5]

Great informative video! This jig is available at LHS for about $23.00. I'm getting one. Thanks for taking the time to show this...kinda separates Horizon from the wannabes.

[@starshipgus8578]

Good information,now for 3 and 4 bladed props....

[@timhayes45]

Awesome video, to the point and accurate, kudos and many thanks.

[@ScottsUtubeWorld]

Great tutorial! I'll order one of these balancers tonight.

[@Trumpet20]

Great video and neat trick on balancing larger props. Thanks John. Mark.

[@horizonhobby]

@ArcticRc Over on the Horizon Hobby website, links in the "More Info" section

[@spencerboaz2385]

When you add CA to one side it may balance on the Do-Bro , but when you spin it at 10K it will be out of balance because the hub is not symmetrical . I found this out by feeling of the arms while in flight . The prop I added the glue to was out on both arms front and back when I moved it . Took it off and balanced perfect on the Do-Bro , put on a prop that only needed a little sanding , vibration gone . Not saying it wont work for just a tiny bit but if you have to add much it will still be out at 10K .

[@turner592]

Great vid,I learned a lot and solved my vibration,thanks

[@MrCubj3]

Informative video! Just ordered the dubro balancer!

[@djwak59]

Very informative ! I fly drones/quadcopters and I can sometimes see the drone wobble when hovering in GPS mode. It's not really BAD, but I can still see it. I don't do drone video for hire, so it doesn't bother me much, but this video makes me wonder how better my drones might fly by doing this to my props. Thanks again for posting.

[@samrichard4156]

Very nice and useful Video, thanks for sharing your expertise

[@rueda82nd]

Great info didnt know how to balance thnx ... now i gotta order

[@TheEstibon]

what about props for the Yuneec Q500, no center hole on the prop, thanks for your time

[@StargazerFS128]

Fantastically useful video, thanks!

[@jameskonopka3629]

Great video. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@trobi81]

Fantastic video. Thank you for the great information that you have shared!

[@TAKTEZ]

Airpraft.. LOL! Sounds like something I would say... This is gonna help me so so much! Now I just have to find that balancer here in Aus. :)

[@Jackson27mc]

I had several props where the hub could not be balanced because the prop is not straight, put the prop on its side and see how much space there is between the hub and the workbench, flip the prop over and look again, mine has quite a bit Difference in.

[@jimhardie2575]

Enjoyed watching this

[@tediouja8099]

Very good tutorial, thanks!!!!

[@DirtyThing20]

Just got a parcel. Seems nice, prop spining, thanks :P

[@acerkiwi]

Thanks Mate! This will help me with my Quad rotor.

[@resiggy13]

Good video. How about another one on how to properly balance a set of heli blades? thanks.

[@troymclean9301]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@wayneelliott2462]

I think that the starting point should be to check the blade track first for uniformity,the amount of blades i,ve had with a out of sink track is quite staggering,if the track is out,forget balancing,the prop as its scrap and should be sent back.

[@mikebarkasi6467]

Great Video, Do you have any tips on balancing "Folding" Tri - Props?

[@robertbrunston5406]

Very good! Thank you.

[@42Redbear]

Very well done! Many thanks!

[@DBDagger]

Great tutorial thanks for sharing.

[@Wings_of_foam]

Would wet sanding better and make a smoother finish?

[@grahamlwilson]

Very informative video, thank you. Can you show us how to balance a spinner and ducted fan blades?

[@solentlifeuk]

A video that has been around for years - but has a fundamental error and its surprising that no-one has picked up on it ... Guys shows an APC prop balanced .... but does not follow APC instructions for mounting the prop on the balancer. AQPC specifically state Taper goes in the rear of hub - but FLAT cone face to the front of hub. This is to make sure prop hub is perpendicular to shaft as it would be on the motor in use. The rear cone taper centres the prop hub on shaft. It is possible that many of the hub balance problems could be due to this error where the non precision front shaft hole - if taper is used will offset the hub on the shaft.

[@haroldcoleman2188]

Make certain you also look at the APC balancing procedure else you may end up taking way too much off the prop hub

[@AntonioMartinez]

Great video, thanks!

[@DannyCruzCreations]

Very good. Thanks for this.

[@captainrick9379]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bobbybiglan3930]

is the bench level ?he leveled the balancer

[@BobK-NH]

Nice clear video. Where did you buy your blocks ? Wouldn’t an inclinometer or bubble level be better ? Wood is hydroscopic and will not hold dimension.

[@stevewilkins27]

Thanks great video

[@richardoneill1965]

Thanks i understand now 👍

[@olieolie63]

Great video..could you address 3 bladed props ?

[@MrFabiolobo]

I am a beginner and I will flight an airplane.... is it necessary to balance the propeller too? Even if it is a folding one?

[@ryancoxey1327]

I've got a magnetic balancer. The one in the video uses a bearing of some kind, which causes, to some degree, friction. A prop on my magnetic balancer will bounce back and forth all day and will never stick in one place after I spend time balancing. Is that correct? I can't seem to find detailed instruction while using a magnetic balance. Great video by the way!

[@JaxTellerRC]

Fantastic, Thanks!

[@bigmac3006]

Great vid!

[@4thGloryMonday]

u the man john

[@kennyFF033]

I followed FliteTest advice to watch this vid and I'm glad I did. Well done demo and explanation of props. Do you have any advice for smaller, lighter props? I find it hard to get them to settle sometimes, not enough weight to roll the ballancer. There is not much to a 6x4E prop untill you mount it to a 2200kva motor and spin it at over 20,000 rpm

[@harpoon_bakery162]

Question: Since my engine mfg. tells me to use a prop-saver (uses a little black o-ring, by the way, they keep breaking) should I not do your balancing procedure, i have heard that if you use a PROP-SAVER it will not need to be balanced because using a prop-saver messing everything else up, pop off, hit people, o-rings break, vibrations, etc. LET me know what to do

[@markclark-lewis2600]

When you have sanded your plastic prop how do you get it to have a nice finish without unbalancing it again?

[@ninguno22]

Hi: how you balance a folding propeller? thanks great tutorial

[@horizonhobby]

For folding props mount the hub with blades attached to the balancer and follow the same balancing procedures. Just tighten the blade mounting screws to keep the blades from flopping around and loosen them again once your done balancing.

[@ninguno22]

Horizon Hobby muchas gracias, Thank you¡

[@Lycoming320]

Nice Video. I didn't see you checking the tip alignment horizontally or vertically. Is this a step you ignore or did you already do it?

[@Scholltyshe]

What about 700mm propeller? To be able to rotate two mounted props for balancing i would need 700mm radius of space around the axis :O Any hints?

[@Texasdud]

Hi I have xk380 What would be a good prop to get and fit on the 380? Thank Ben.

[@fulcom69]

hi how is the best way to calibrate de props t-hub tanks

[@rondoschiavoni8840]

on my mini omni drone I have a screw on one side of the prop should I leave the screw in the prop while balancing it, how ever the screw will never be in the position on the prop where it actually stops on the shaft? hmmm

[@tommyjw4527]

Thanks for this video, HH. Needed a solution for the hub balancing and you have it. Just a question... is the CA that you use a particularly heavy glue? How much do you use on a typical carbon fiber 10" prop to balance the hub? I have used electrical tape in the past but found myself using up to 1/8" thick to get balance on the hub. although it worked, very clumsy.

[@What_If_We_Tried]

QUESTION: I am new to RC flying, why not sand the back of each prop blade, especially if you have a nice prop like a Master Airscrew with the logo on the front of each blade (-like prototype aircraft)?

[@scottfirman]

My question also. The answer is,yes you can,as long you remove material on the thicker side of the blade,it can be on the back. No one wants to see a scuffed up blade.

[@brianminkc]

how do you determine the leading edge of the prop?

[@robertstreet747]

What does it mean if my prop is balanced straight up and down but not sideways? If I adjust for the sideways by tape or sanding some off then the up and down is unbalanced.

[@garrrbo]

I would like to see how you balance EDF’s

[@jamesmarshall9420]

...what about 3 bladed propeller balancing...?

[@werdnandrew24]

I found that the rod on my tru-spin balancer was not balanced itself so my props would fall to a different side depending on how it was positioned on the rod. I tried to balance the rod but it's such a small area that it's nearly impossible :(

[@MrFabiolobo]

Good video. Congrats! I have a question: is it necessary to balance a folding propeller too? How can I do it?

[@andrewjackson7476]

I bought a digital weight scale used for measuring Jewry(banggood.com). Smaller the increment the better. Add or remove weight at the RIGHT PLACE. C.G. of the particular blade you are balancing, which is about 1/3 way out from the hub. I ALWAYS round off the tips of ALL prop blades, especially the folding ones(because they are so sharp, which actually makes them very loud and very inefficient). Think of the shape of spitfire's wing tip, which is known to be most efficient, no matter what the airplane type.

[@Evolutionist199]

Good tutorial and such

[@rcfreehold]

Are you able to balance a spinner or EDF fan with this?

[@LivingWithTheGuzmans]

Cool thanks

[@goiasesc]

very helpful! I'll do this with my AR DRONE !

[@tomtom4867]

what is the razor blade for?

[@kennyFF033]

This is a great balancer and you can find them several places online or at your LHS. Search for DuBro prop balancer. I can give a link if you need one... Cheers:)

[@horizonhobby]

@BunnyHairedKid It's in-progress

[@alnaee2634]

Hi thanks for the great and usefull vids...i just have stupid Question .how do you know if you put glue on the upper hub or lower hub? and how do you balance the rc helicopters blades , like 450 size or greater , this way: cheers

[@jamescrank255]

Do they make a balancer for larger props. I have 30" props that need to be balanced.

[@salvatorealessandrino945]

Hallo i have quextion about a wooden prop can i increas hole in' middle from 6mm to 8mm is that risk that prop can break thank you

[@MrBadbob60]

How about a video on balancing 3 blade prop spinners and back plates? Doesn't seem to be an important issue, but I beg to differ. Guess I'll have to get a camera and do this myself.

[@platinniferreira]

will you send to Brazil?

[@ThePhk5]

how about drone props, ie Mavic Pro ?? folding blades - worth having the balancer ?

[@johna.s.3847]

For folding blades, you could use a small accurate weight scale and weight each blade if the true spin style of balance will not work.

[@estebandavilaruiz22]

Excelent .

[@hoyvintagecycles2936]

I got into this hobby to fly not sit in my garage and balance props :P however thanks for the vid.

[@ikhaykin]

Is there a way to straighten a prop (APC in particular) or does it need to be replaced if it has been bent a bit?

[@horizonhobby]

If it's bent you'll want to replace it.

[@timbacchus]

See I would never had thought to put it on the end of the table for the large prop.

[@northernlife231]

Will this balancer work for DJI Pantom Vision Plus? Great Video by the way!

[@Bob5mith]

Yes, but you need a special rod threaded on each end and set it up like he did for the big prop. (I assume you're talking about the self-tightening props.)

[@markwood9751]

Forgive me if this is somewhat of a naive question! (i'm still quite new to model aircraft and the like) This may be a good starting point to ensure that the moulded props are statically balanced, but would they not need to be dynamically balanced ultimately? (like a car wheel) After all the prop will be spinning, which is when you actually need it to be correctly balanced! Im a little rusty (i was mostly asleep by this point in class) but isnt it something to do with centrifugal force and the distance of the mass from the centre point... eg. The prop would still appear balanced if there was a small mass at the tip of one blade and a larger mass 1/2 way along the opposing blade. On the jig it would appear to balance near 'perfectly' and still at any rotational point, but when the prop is spun up to operating speeds it it thrown significantly out of balance due to the centrifugal force 'pulling harder' on the lager mass? Or is this going along the lines of removing material from the blade itself and altering the aerofoil shape is so insignificant on a prop of that scale? (you did mentioned that at some point in the vid)

[@jmrobert5457]

I am a beginner, what is the glue you use ?

[@HorizonHobbyProducts]

Something like this would work quite well: www.horizonhobby.com/zap-a-gap-ca-glue--1-2-oz-paapt03