APC props on Norvel .061

[Bill Hodges]

I have read that some of you are using APC props on your Norvel .061's.  I picked up some APC's to try on mine and discovered that the hole in the prop hub is much bigger than the prop bolt on the engine.  What have you folks been doing to take of this problem?  I would imagine that some type of spacer is being used.  If so, what are you using to make the spacer?

Bill Hodges

[Wynn Robins]

use a small piece of carbon tube.  You can glue it to the prop hub if needs be.

[Mike Spiess]

use a small piece of carbon tube.  You can glue it to the prop hub if needs be.

I do the same thing. It works on spinners also.

[minnesotamodeler]

Use a small piece of fuel line.  It compresses and centers everything nicely.

6x2s are about perfect for .061 stunt; 5.7x2 or 3 is good too. Go to a 5x4 or so if you're flying combat.

[ray copeland]

I use the yellow fuel line made for inside the tank pick up for 2 cycle weedwackers or chainsaws, got it at the local hardware store , it is tougher than silicone and fits perfect!

[Paul Smith]

There was a company that made purpose-molded inserts for APC's.  I saw 'em at Toledo in '07, but not '08.  Too bad, I needed some.

They also made a nylon "clunk" tank with a slack bladder inside.  Anybody recall the name?

On APC's, the intentation is precision-molded, but the holes are drilled off-center.  So these little plastic inserts were glued in.  Then you reamed 'em to size and ignored the drilled hole.

[Bill Hodges]

Guys:

Thanks for the info.  I have some carbon tube that should work.  If it will not work, I will try the fuel line idea.

Bill

[Larry Renger]

Since my lathe was in storage, I just used multiple pieces of fitting aluminum tube to space from the screw to the prop.  I found that the last piece of tube required a bit of very delicate reaming of the prop to fit snuggly.  When done correctly, I have had no vibration problems despite running well over 20K rpm.

[Mike Spiess]

I really don't like APCs on little motors as the blades look like knife blades and the cut like them too. Thats something I really know about. The worse model airplane injury I ever had was from a Cox .049 and a APC prop. And I use to have big diesels.

[minnesotamodeler]

Ihave to agree, you can cut your balsa parts out with the blade of an APC! I sand the knife edge blunt before mounting it on the engine.  No doubt some will say that impairs the prop's efficiency.  Too bad.  When you cut your finger just trying to flip the prop, it's too sharp.

[don Burke]

I think the advent of non-wood props is what increased blood-letting to our hobby a very long time ago, don't pick on just APC's.  I remember my bro having "gill slits" on the back of his thumb from a top flite nylon way back in the early 60s!

BTW, you're not a successful mouse racer unless you blood it!

[john e. holliday]

The old wood prop may leave you with a sore finger or a bruise on the leg.  I had a balde come off a wooden prop and hit my leg.  Dodn't even cut the jeans.  Now I have scars from nylon, fibre glas and composite props.  All the years I ran the Kavan plastic 6-3 & 6-4 props naver had one come apart.  DOC Holliday

PS:Just looked at the scar on my index finger of the right hand.  That was a Top Flite Power Point 10-4 wood on a LA25.  jeh