How to balance props?

[miguelflores0928]

Where can I find some good how-to videos on how to balance fast brushless boat props? I have a Geico dual, blackjack 42, UL19, and a Shreddy 18? and I want to start messing with prop tuning.

Thanks in advance!

[Ivan Kozyakov]

Also on this topic I would like to ask which balancing machine is the best. I bought several and their shafts are not perfect, it is impossible to balance the props.

[miguelflores0928]

I heard good things about this forum about how it?s full of smart and experienced people and yet I rarely get any real answers. This post for example.

[Ryanj]

Balancing props are a work of art and time consuming. A lot is trial and error, on how to sharpen and balance props. Check out the Forum about props in this section as this will help guild you in this process. Youtube can be helpful to some degree and the rest is learning. Its a process that takes time to learn. https://forums.offshoreelectrics.com...Accord-gallery

some of the techniques are a secret to most people so why you don't see a lot on the how to process. Help point in a starting direction is read and research around in the Prop forums and Google as well. this will help start out the process. I would suggest to get a Durbro Prop balancer to start off with, easiest to start off balance and get you close to a good balance , Then once you learn on a few props, upgrade to a magnetic style balancer found on Offshore electrics store page. The magnetic type is the best as it has almost 0 resistance and gives a better and true balance. But is Harder of a tool to use if your starting out. Research around and over time you will have a good idea to do this
* hobby files
* hobby sanding sponges of different grits
* metal polish

Warning! Some props like ABC, Octura prop may contain Beryllium copper material. This is can be a toxic material when breathed as to a dust so proper PPE, Like Gloves, mask ect. Working the prop with water or other techniques to minimize the dust.

[miguelflores0928]

Thanks! I have both types of balancers already so I?ll make sure to start with the dubro one first. I use that one to balance my speed run car wheels. Thanks again

[longballlumber]

Balancing and Sharpening props is not something that is easily explained via text without extensive typing and pictures. In this case a video will be your best bet, but finding a local boater who is willing to share their knowledge and technique would be the best case scenario. Here is a video that provides a good foundation for starting by providing the basics.

https://youtu.be/DOVyJhBip3s

[miguelflores0928]

Thanks for the help! But also, on a side note, why is it so secretive? I believe these kinds of things shouldn?t be secrets. I can understand that it?s not a simple thing to learn and it takes lots of practice but it seems like people who know how to do it won?t share with anyone how they do it.

It?s like speed running cars. The fastest people won?t share their setup details, as if it actually matters. What makes a good speed runner more than anything is having access to the best roads. These speed runners won?t even share how they build radio extenders.

Is boating the same way? Are people really tight lipped about it? Because it?s a damn shame if they are. That?s not a good way to welcome newcomers into the hobby, that?s how toxicity is born.

[Peter A]

Thanks for the help! But also, on a side note, why is it so secretive? I believe these kinds of things shouldn?t be secrets. I can understand that it?s not a simple thing to learn and it takes lots of practice but it seems like people who know how to do it won?t share with anyone how they do it.

It?s like speed running cars. The fastest people won?t share their setup details, as if it actually matters. What makes a good speed runner more than anything is having access to the best roads. These speed runners won?t even share how they build radio extenders.

Is boating the same way? Are people really tight lipped about it? Because it?s a damn shame if they are. That?s not a good way to welcome newcomers into the hobby, that?s how toxicity is born.

It's not about being secretive. Prop work is a skill learned and like any learned skill it takes time and is not something that can be taught on a forum. Suggestions have been made for you as to reading what is already on forums and watching u tube vids. Did you do a forum search?

If prop work is not for you then buy prepped props from the OSE shop, Dasboata or Dr Props.

The toxicity comes when people get in a huff because someone does not instantly answer their questions on demand or they do not take the advise given. Those who do know how to, often are not essay writers and have already helped many others over the years, so be careful the accusations you might make. Find other boaters/club and you will find a lot of help.

[miguelflores0928]

I?m aware of the suggestions I?ve received and I?ve thanked everyone accordingly. I understand it?s a skill that is learned.

My side note there that I mentioned wasn?t directed at you or anyone else who has provided me info here. Just to be clear. I?m not here to point fingers.

My experience is from RC cars, and what I?ve found is that there are a lot of people on various different forums who go around openly giving bad advice on forums so I?m trying to be careful which advice I consume.

Trouble is, if not for the forums, nobody in my area has experience with RC boating. I can count on one hand how many people in my area have boats at all, let alone run them and tune them like I want to tune mine. There?s no clubs here. No groups. Nothing.

That means I?m forced to learn from forums and YouTube videos and that?s fine but I?ve already received on this exact forum (in a different thread) some advice that didn?t work out and I?ve seen plenty of YouTubers with boats who are tight lipped about their setups. When commenters ask questions, the content creator is nowhere to be found. I see it all the time so I?m just trying to learn from what I?ve got.

This exact forum is quite confusing to me and searching stuff gives me confusing results. I?m still learning how this forum works. It?s giving me Craigslist vibes and I struggled with that site too

So just to be clear I?m not here to cause any trouble I?m just trying to manage my expectations. I mean no foul or harm

[Ryanj]

I?m aware of the suggestions I?ve received and I?ve thanked everyone accordingly. I understand it?s a skill that is learned.

My side note there that I mentioned wasn?t directed at you or anyone else who has provided me info here. Just to be clear. I?m not here to point fingers.

My experience is from RC cars, and what I?ve found is that there are a lot of people on various different forums who go around openly giving bad advice on forums so I?m trying to be careful which advice I consume.

Trouble is, if not for the forums, nobody in my area has experience with RC boating. I can count on one hand how many people in my area have boats at all, let alone run them and tune them like I want to tune mine. There?s no clubs here. No groups. Nothing.

That means I?m forced to learn from forums and YouTube videos and that?s fine but I?ve already received on this exact forum (in a different thread) some advice that didn?t work out and I?ve seen plenty of YouTubers with boats who are tight lipped about their setups. When commenters ask questions, the content creator is nowhere to be found. I see it all the time so I?m just trying to learn from what I?ve got.

This exact forum is quite confusing to me and searching stuff gives me confusing results. I?m still learning how this forum works. It?s giving me Craigslist vibes and I struggled with that site too

So just to be clear I?m not here to cause any trouble I?m just trying to manage my expectations. I mean no foul or harm

I was in the same boat years ago when I first started and no body around me in my area as first hand to learn off. Eventfully I made a friend out of state and talked by phone and he passed down what he knew. There are still a few good people out there willing to share and pass down what they know and learn with the hobby.
Some groups you can get the mixed information on what is good or not and to this having to filter out what is useful information. longballlumber made a good post on a video above for starting off and what to look for on balancing. Then you move to sharping the leading edge of the prop blades and re check the balance. Start simple, then once you have done a few, you can move into any cut or bend mods to the prop as you get better.

[miguelflores0928]

Thank you!