Brodak Walker/Eather 17" Diameter Pitch Gauge Prototype

[Bradley Walker]

More fun stuff kids.

This is the prototype for the new Walker/Eather pitch gauge.  The gauging concept itself was designed by Brian Eather and I designed the actual piece.  This is only a prototype, but all the pieces are there and work well.  The face as shown here is only paper, but we intend to make the graphic out of laser printed vinyl covered in clear plastic so the lettering will be replaceable, even though it should never wear out.



I think this is a pretty big jump up from the Prather.  The bed will accept up to a 17" diameter (we are thinking of adding another station for 18" diameter) and the numbering is based on the diameter (so when you at station 10 you are located at 10" of prop diameter). 

The slider is fully captured, and works like a charm I might add.  The is no rocking or any way to be crooked while measuring the pitch.



The arm also has a "home"...



...and a locking device so the arm can be held in place at any pitch for bending carbon propellers.



The gauge is also fully braced from the back so it cannot be bent.  In fact, it is built like a tank.

[Mark Scarborough]

I like it, It addresses some things about the Prather that are open for refinement. May I offer one other idea? I know that when I use my Prather, probably the single annoying thing I detest is having to move the thing around to see the number of the track I have it in. Any chance of having the station label on TOP of the surface so its easier to see? perhaps etched in or laser engraved

[bruce malm]

Really looks good.
Bruce

[Randy Cuberly]

Terriffic looking tool Brad.

Gotta have one.   I do agree, for whatever it's worth about the comment above about marking the tracks so the numbers can be seen from above.   Any guess as to when it might be available?

Randy C.

[Ward Van Duzer]

As long as it gives you the same answer as the Prather! The Prather has been around so long now, as to be the standard. Too many others I've seen give you different answers to the same question!


Ward

[Bradley Walker]

As long as it gives you the same answer as the Prather! The Prather has been around so long now, as to be the standard. Too many others I've seen give you different answers to the same question!


Ward

Well, Ward it is hard to get two Prather's to agree.

Brian's pitch will be the standard, and that should be good enough for anyone.

[Louis Rankin]

Make the prop holder mount wider.  At that width it will teeter-toter like the Prather's do.  I had Big Art make me a wider mount for my Prather gauge and I am much happier now.  You will be too.

[PatRobinson]

Hi Brad,
That looks like a well thought out and well built product. I think there will a demand for a larger capacity prop pitch guage for both R/C and CL use , because I haven't seen anyone else offering this kind of product.
I wish you guys well with it.
                                                                 Pat Robinson

[Bradley Walker]

Make the prop holder mount wider.  At that width it will teeter-toter like the Prather's do.  I had Big Art make me a wider mount for my Prather gauge and I am much happier now.  You will be too.

No, Lou it does not move at all.

[Will Hinton]

Brad,
Great designing!  Especially since many of us are now using 14 inch props or even bigger.  I would support the suggestions above, though, as possible good refinements.  I machined a wider base for my Prather to eliminate rocking and it is much, much better.
As to it being the same readings as a Prather, the main goal here is to achieve what pitch gives us what we desire as to performance and the actual numbers mean little once we feed the ehat to a prop to change it, the thing that counts is a faithful reference to the other pitch we just were unhappy with.
Again, fabulous job, good going.
Blessings,
Will

[Marvin Denny]

  Looks like a real winner Brad.  I may even get one and I don't do repitching in any form. Nice toy for me to play with.

  Bigiron

[Steve Helmick]

Would they be made in USA or Aussie, or both? Calibrated in MM's or Inches of pitch? 
Looks like significant enough improvements to get a pass from the patent cops, if there is any question.  Good job! Steve
 
PS: I suspect that two people using the same gauge, regardless of what gauge, will probably get different results. The key thing is being consistent yourself, with your own gauge, whatever that might be. 

[Bill Little]

With the influx of LARGE props (!!!), this product will be in great demand.  Brian Eather is a really great guy to deal with, and with Brad's ability to design, then this should be a really high grade piece of equipment.

Let's hope this gets to market soon!

[Bradley Walker]

Would they be made in USA or Aussie, or both? Calibrated in MM's or Inches of pitch? 
Looks like significant enough improvements to get a pass from the patent cops, if there is any question. 

There are no patents on pitch gauges.

[Greg L Bahrman]

<The face as shown here is only paper, but we intend to make the graphic out of laser printed <vinyl covered in clear plastic so the lettering will be replaceable, even though it should never <wear out.


Brad,
Put the printing on the farside before it's glued in place and it will truly last forever.

[peabody]

Looks way cool...how soon before the ARF version?

[Bradley Walker]

<The face as shown here is only paper, but we intend to make the graphic out of laser printed <vinyl covered in clear plastic so the lettering will be replaceable, even though it should never <wear out.


Brad,
Put the printing on the farside before it's glued in place and it will truly last forever.

That's the idea.  The ink would be on the inside of the clear sticker or it would be a two layered sticker.

I mailed the thing off to Brian today for the final tweaks.  I think all we need is a tweak to the slot positions and we are done.

The current gauge will be RTF.

[john e. holliday]

What, you mean we don't have to build our own?  Just kidding and I hope not to ruffle any more feathers.  Do you have a price range yet, so I can start saving?  MERRY CHRISTMAS,  DOC Holliday

[Bradley Walker]

What, you mean we don't have to build our own?  Just kidding and I hope not to ruffle any more feathers.  Do you have a price range yet, so I can start saving?  MERRY CHRISTMAS,  DOC Holliday

No, I do not have pricing yet.  It is going to be more expensive than a Prather.