Propellar chips

[Massimo]

Hi All,

How do i fix a chip on the end of my compsote woodcomp propellar? Ive heard of many different ways, so what is the best way of doing this, especially while flying in remote areas?

Thanks
Regards
Massimo

[Splinter]

Q-Bond. Buy the box of glue and Q-Bond powder from Mica/hardware shop. Mix together, apply to the chip, let it dry, use water and sanding paper to smooth it out/remove the excess. Personally know a pilot who fixed a DUC prop like this after it hit a stone breaking a chunk as big as a R2 coin out of the prop (on the so called windspoon side). He flew that same prop for a couple hundred hours before replacing! If I was in a remote place with a chipped prop and no other way out I would use this method!

RED

[Boet]

Baking soda and super glue. Works fast, and will never fall out. Seconds after application you can file or sand it smooth. Works for me. If you want to know more, contact me.

[ystervark7]

I will use the Q bond. We had to fix oupaG's prop once on a trip and he is still flying with it.
The Blits stick and baking soda does work as well but the Qbond you can get in black to match the prop.

[kloot piloot]

Question: How much part does the relative density (RD) of Q-Bond, Pratley Steel or Epoxy play with the balance of the prop compared to the RD of wood ?

[Petrodactyl]

As far as I know, the Q-bond kits are just baking soda and superglue anyway - they just add a bit of colour to stop us guessing their secret.

You would have to do the RD experiments yourself as I am not sure that numbers are available. Having patched a number of props using the baking powder method, both wood and composite, I have not had one that I could feel a significant vibration afterwards, and you could always have the prop rebalanced at some stage after it has got you home.