prop balance & sharping

[shreader269]

I have a Niro vee Do I need to sharpen the steel prop or balance it , if so how do I do it?

[Inky Dinky]

If you are just running for fun it is not realy that important, unless you feal that the prop is that far out of ballence. Now on the other hand if you are looking to race and looking for a slight advantage over your buddies go for the prop tweekings. All sharpining and ballancing are done buy removing the material from the back side, NOT the face of thr prop. I think that Prather props use to make a tool for ballancing your props, just follow there directions, If they still make it, ask your local hobby dealer? Sharpining and ballancing should be done at the same time : as you sharpen it by removing meterail from the back side you are also checking for ballance. A ballanced and sharpend prop runs smoother and turns more RPM'S = faster boat speed. Hoppy rooster tails.:)

[Swampjocky]

I have been running model boats since 1977 and have not come across a prop that was not out of balance, out of the package. One of the worse things you can do is run a prop without balancing. Vibration in the driveline is a very bad occurance. It wears out parts prematurely which causes even more vibration. Soon after, parts start to fly. Try the balancer from DuBro, #499. This handles everything from rims for cars, to heli rotor heads , to boat propellers etc. Also check the hub of the prop if you think you are taking too much off the back of the blade as there is usually plenty of meat there but the further towards the outside of the blades you can take this meat from the less you'll have to take off which leaves you with a stronger prop. Just don't make things too thin as this causes weakening of the prop and a tossed blade will really make a mess of things. It doesn't matter if you're running gas or electric, a balanced prop makes a faster boat and your driveline parts will last longer. Don't follow this advice and you'll see just how expensive a model boat WILL become. GOOD LUCK!:)