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Electric Stunt => Gettin all AMP'ed up! => Topic started by: Harold Brewer on May 31, 2013, 05:20:08 AM

Title: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: Harold Brewer on May 31, 2013, 05:20:08 AM
Finally got my electric super clown ready to go.  Last thing to do is mount and tighten the prop.  I'm having problems getting the prop nut tight; no way to keep the motor from turning while I'm wrenching the prop nut.  Need some ideas.

 HB~>
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: Larry Wong on May 31, 2013, 05:41:23 AM
Harold  I've found that if you can just hold the can and tighten the prop. if you are using a pusher prop. it will stay on. the prop does not have to be torq down as much as a IC. y1
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: Tim Wescott on May 31, 2013, 09:05:02 AM
Is it a collet-style prop adapter?  On my RC planes I've always been able to finger-tighten the nut, then hold the prop to finish tightening.

(And as mentioned, you don't have to get it nearly as tight as a slime engine: note that most electric prop adapters are all aluminum including the nut).
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: Harold Brewer on May 31, 2013, 09:13:36 AM
I've tried holding the can (motor), but there is not much room given the
mounting.  It just doesn't seem tight enough.  Perhaps a spanner wrench to hold the back of the motor (is one available?).
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: Larry Wong on May 31, 2013, 09:41:27 AM
 Did you have the right collet for the motor? Shaft is in mm. And make sure you push all the way back.
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: Robert Redmon on May 31, 2013, 11:19:22 AM
I have also run into this problem, especially when using a prop adapter that has a smooth face where it touches the back of the prop....or when using a spinner with a smooth aluminum backplate. What I have done is cut some small washers out of 220 grit sandpaper to place between the slick surfaces. That usually gives me enough friction that I am able to tighten the prop nut sufficiently.

Bob
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: jfv on May 31, 2013, 12:37:21 PM
Bob beat me to it.  That's what I also do.  Small washer out of sandpaper.
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: Dean Pappas on May 31, 2013, 01:33:04 PM
Hi All,
Same here, but I make mine out of two pieces of sandpaper glued back-to-back if none of the surfaces is knurled.

take care,
  Dean
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: Howard Rush on June 01, 2013, 01:28:13 AM
Sandpaper didn't do the trick on mine, although I didn't think of the back-to-back technique.  I resorted to CA. 
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: Dennis Adamisin on June 01, 2013, 05:58:18 AM
I tried filing flats at the very front of the prop adapter, ahead of where the prop nut rests.  Put a small wrench on that to hold the adapter while tightening the nut. 
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: FLOYD CARTER on June 01, 2013, 02:22:03 PM
The AXI prop adapters seem to be soft aluminum and not much surface area to grab a metal spinner backplate.  I used a small ring of 100 grit sandpaper fastened to the motor with 3-M spray adhesive.  The rough side faces the spinner backplate.

Floyd
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: CircuitFlyer on June 04, 2013, 04:34:45 PM
Quote
if you are using a pusher prop. it will stay on. the prop does not have to be torque down as much as a IC.

Don't agree with that one - if it's a pusher then the direction of rotation is trying to loosen the nut off.  If it does get loose it will spin off in about 5 milliseconds.  (Don't ask me how I found out.)  I also found that the soft aluminum collet has a hard time gripping the polished chrome shaft unless it's good and tight.  I'll try the sandpaper washer - it sounds like that'll do the trick.

Paul
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: Howard Rush on June 09, 2013, 12:31:33 PM
I tried filing flats at the very front of the prop adapter, ahead of where the prop nut rests.  Put a small wrench on that to hold the adapter while tightening the nut. 

Thanks, Dennis.  That worked great.  Now I can get the prop tight and also keep the spinner backplate holes aligned with the prop.
Title: Re: Prop Tightening on Electric Motors
Post by: john e. holliday on June 10, 2013, 07:45:43 AM
On an IC engine I resorted to J-B Weld to glue the prop extension to the thrust washer on the engine.   Might try J-B Weld to hold the prop adapter.