RunRyder - What are the do's and don'ts of main rotor blade balancing???

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Beginners Corner > What are the do's and don'ts of main rotor blade balancing???

Beezer
Veteran
Location: Ontario, Canada

Beginner Question:

I was wondering the other day about the balancing of main rotor blades. I just finished balancing my stock wood ones for the first time last week and I was amazed how far off these stock blades were.
Is Spanwise C.G. Balancing a must? I followed the instructions in the manual but my blades were so far off that I would have had to use 2 rolls of tracking tape on the end just to get it to equal out so I skipped this part and went on too the Final Static balancing. This is where I discovered how far out the blades actually were. I didn't know if it was proper to put alot of tape on the blades as it might affect their performance so I ended up drilling a small hole in center of the end of the light blade about 1" in. Then I pushed in the whole
single balls of lead shot until the blade came close to balance. I then filled the rest of the whole with 5 min. epoxy to secure the lead shot. The blade was still abit light so I finished of by adding tracking tape till they were perfectly balance. I plan to recover the blades and make sure the end were the lead shot is covered up properly again. Is this a good way of fixing a major off balance or is the chance the lead shot comes out when the blades RPM increases too great off a risk? What would have been a better way to correct this problem? Also how much tape can you actually put on a blade for balance before you do more harm than good?
I haven't ran the heli with the blades on yet but I thought I better get a few options first before I tried too.

- Carl -

12-27-2001 Over year old.

RICHW
Senior Heliman
Location: Cupertino, CA

If the CG of each blade is not the same distance from the root, then the blades are not balanced. Even if they balance on the teeter-totter.
Rich W

12-27-2001 Over year old.

Beezer
Veteran
Location: Ontario, Canada

Just for curiousity I decided to check the CG balance again since I didn't do that after I did the static balancing and low and behold they are right on the money now. So both blades are CG and staticly balanced now, but I'm still wondering if the added lead weight will stay put or come flying out like a B.B. gun.

12-28-2001 Over year old.

Naomi
Elite Veteran
Location: Ontario, Canada

With the blade spinning over 1500 RPM.. I sure won't want to be in the way if the lead shot coming my way.. It would be like hit by a heavy caliber bullet. Carl , get another set of wood blade, like the Heli-max one they come pretty good balanced.. they are not too bad in price about $46.00 canadian.. If you feels a bit richer get a set of fibreglass one..

Naomi

12-28-2001 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

vetrider
Elite Veteran
Location: Daleville, AL (Ft.Rucker)

The last two sets of Century woodies I've bought were spot on, when checked with a Koll balancer.
The blade industry seems to be much better these days.

If I get a set that's as far out as yours were, I'd ask the manufacterer to replace them before I'd modifiying them.
I know it's a pain to have to wait.

I agree with Heli_Gal, Be safe not sorry.

Nolan Manley
RREMODELS, KBDDintl, Magnum Fuel
Stratus, ODIN, Knight3D, ATOM 500, TREX 700N.

12-28-2001 Over year old.

Beezer
Veteran
Location: Ontario, Canada

Yeah, I am not going to trust the epoxy to hold the lead shot in. I know the epoxy will hold at those rpm's but only if it bonds well to the wood of the bladesand there is no real safe way to test that.
I just ordered a crash kit for my Ergo just in case, which comes with a set of wood blades and I will set those up first. I will take the original blades and remove the lead shot, then balance them another way without adding any possible projectiles to the blades.

Thanks for the advice peeps

12-28-2001 Over year old.

TVAILLANCOURT
Senior Heliman
Location: Edmonton Alberta Canada

powder

Miniature Aircraft has broze powder #3709. Simply add the broze powder to the cut out area then lock in place with thin CA.Using this has another desirable feature,should a blade strike occur ,the bronze powder/CA is more likely to disintergrate.

12-30-2001 Over year old.

NoelVK3CNR
Heliman
Location: Victoria Australia

Blade balancing

I have had to get several sets of blades during my learning curve; most have been very close but a couple of sets were out be heaps.
I just took em. back & got a new pair.
You really shoudn't have to go through any of what youv'e described.
I too have an Ergo 30...Noel

01-09-2002 Over year old.

Beezer
Veteran
Location: Ontario, Canada

I got them all balanced out now and they nicely. I will be getting a set of fiberglass blades come spring...

01-09-2002 Over year old.

Beezer
Veteran
Location: Ontario, Canada

I meant to say they track nicely... Brain freeze i guess

01-09-2002 Over year old.

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Beginners Corner > What are the do's and don'ts of main rotor blade balancing???

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