Prop balancer suggestions

[HemiGTX]

What balancer(s) are highly recommended?  Is there a ‘gold standard’ when it comes to balancers? 

[Perry Rose]

The one with magnets that hold the axle and prop. No air movement allowed.

[John Rist]

Top Flite Magnetic Prop Balancer is a good one.  But it looks like it is no longer is being made.  A few used ones on Ebay.

[Colin McRae]

I have the Dubro prop balancer. It works fine.

It can also be set up to balance spinners if one so desires.

[Dan McEntee]

Top Flite Magnetic Prop Balancer is a good one.  But it looks like it is no longer is being made.  A few used ones on Ebay.

    I have found that these magnetic balancer can be so sensitive that the shaft/arbor that the come with can be out of balance and it affects the way a prop woks on it. The tapered spindles are injection molded and can be heavy on once side and it's hard to detect. I use the Prather hand held balancer at the flying field often, and since it's machined metal, will more likely be true in shape and balance. But it is far too short. the answer here is to cut some new rods that are just long enough to be able to use the magnetic set is with the Prather spindle assembly. It doesn't take up as much room either. You can't do spinners any longer this way however. The DuBro balancer is nice but pretty pricy when bought new. Look for used ones on eBay and at swap meets. It's pretty versatile is set up also. The only flaw I have found in the one I have is in the tapered spindle that is supposed to lock in place like a collet. The slot isn't cut deep enough. Simply take a Dremel cut off wheel and take the slot to the knurled hub, and it secures much easier. As it comes out of the box, it doesn't lock down very tight and can move on you.
 
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[stuntvideo]

What balancer(s) are highly recommended?  Is there a ‘gold standard’ when it comes to balancers?

If you’re at Brodaks I have the one you need


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HemiGTX]

Thanks for the input; it’s greatly appreciated.

I’m leaning towards the top flite balancer with the intention of turning some new spindles from aluminum.

Stunt video:  sadly, I’m not at Brodak’s.  But I guarantee that if I were, I would put on the most dazzling display of death-defying maneuvers, near misses, and spectacular destruction of model aircraft ever to grace the manicured circles on John’s property. 

What balancer do you have?

[Dave Hull]

Here's one that is pretty gold standard:  The High Point Balancer. They got your color right, too! There are two height positions allowing prop diameters up to 12". To go higher, you would need longer guide rods. It is very sensitive in the new, unmolested condition. It will do spinner backplates (reverse the moveable cone to get a polished orthogonal face), and spinner cones up to a length around 3" long probably. (I'd have to go measure to be sure.) I don't know the history of the company or this design, but it would appear that Robart bought them out and added "cost cutting features." The original has a solid aluminum base, and a very good spindle with piston-fit cones. Later ones probably aren't "gold standard" regardless of the color of the remaining pieces. But there are other units out there that can do a good job. The spindle on the Prather unit is good--just not as good as the original High Point.

I threw the ugly Cox 6x3 prop on it for the picture. It was handy because I was reconditioning (yet another) Baby Bee that was used, abused and left in a drawer for 25(?) years....  The balancer is certainly sensitive enough to balance the smallest of props. The armature is a nice push fit for the Cox .125" diameter holes. Engines with smaller prop holes would have to be bored, balanced, then sleeved.

[HemiGTX]

There is quite a contrast between that High Point balancer and the $20 Top Flite unit I just snagged off eBay. 

[Dave Hull]

The Top Flite balancer works and it folds up for storing nicely. There are a lot of them around so pretty easy to snag one. But gold standard--No.

Some people are enamored by the mag-lev bearing approach. It is an inexpensive way to achieve low friction. That means it scores on two important features: low friction at low cost.

Good luck with your props!

[Mark Mc]

Here's one that is pretty gold standard:  The High Point Balancer.

I've used both.  I bought the High Point balancer back about 35 years ago originally to balance heli rotor heads.  And it is is fantastic.  Just make sure the surface you're using it on is level.  And, yes, I think Robart messed it up when they went to plastic housings instead of the original aluminum housings for the wheels.

But, I use the Top Flite balancer much more often.  Quicker and more convenient.  I have two, one bought new, and one bought for $5.00 at a swap meet.  Yes, they are subject to machining errors and possible imperceptibly bent shafts.  I just find the balance of the prop, rotate the prop on the shaft, and rotate the prop on the spindles, looking for induced errors.  I sometimes take the prop off the shaft and flip it over, just to be sure.  Takes a little more time, but not that much to find the true balance of the prop.

As Dan said, the Prather balancer is handy to have in the field box.  I picked up a purdy purple anodized one somewhere in my travels.  I'm a 1/2A guy, so my field box is just a kid's tackle box, so the small Prather balance fits nicely in a bin.  But I suppose that the Top Flite balancer would fit in most people's field box if you really wanted to get fancy at the field.  I never thought of cutting new rods for the Top Flite balancer base to use the Dubro.  I'll have to dig through my wire stock and find some to try that.


edit:    *SIGH*  I just pulled out my Prather balancer and a Top Flite balancer to see what length of rods I'd need.  Seems my Prather balancer shaft is slightly bent.   I hate it when my Prather gets bent....

[Dave Harmon]

I bought the High Point balancer back about 35 years ago.
And it is is fantastic.  Just make sure the surface you're using it on is level.
 
I just find the balance of the prop, rotate the prop on the shaft, and rotate the prop on the spindles, looking for induced errors.
I sometimes take the prop off the shaft and flip it over, just to be sure.  Takes a little more time, but not that much to find the true balance of the prop.

Mark...that is also my experience with the High Point balancer.
It works great but the only problem with it is getting it back into its box!
I also have the similar Du-Bro which works well...truthfully I use it most of the time.