Problem with balancer

[Chris S.]

I am having some problems with my prop ballancer its a powerpoint magnetic balancer. anywhoo the arbor seems to be warped I have tried balancing it with poor results. How or where can I get a True straight piece of steel? what are you guys using?

[Pete B.]

I use precision stainless. when I get back we can make 3/16 and 1/8 shafts for you

[Patrick M]

Truly straight shaft isn't easy to come by. Assuming that you want 1/8" stuff, you can buy a 3' length of drill rod, the oil hardening variety is available at Capitol Metals on 48th St.. Shouldn't be more than a couple of bucks, the hard part will be grinding the points on the ends and making them concentric. You can also try a piece of piano wire if you can find 4 or 5" of straight stuff. If you can't find anything suitable, let me know, may be able to make one.

Ha!.... took too long writing this, Pete beat me to post!

[Chris S.]

When things simmer down I will be getting in touch Need decals for the rigger from both of you guys and help with the wire driveline. i am putting some sharp lines on the sponsons with a little putty then they are ready for final paint. I need to make a different front canopy as well...motor clearance issues.

The ballancer thing concerns me, so put the 45/55 on yours just to see.

[D. Newland]

Chris,

I balanced your prop last night, and if you tried balancing it on your balancer, it has issues.

Or, your prop WAS good and my (Pete's) balancer has issues! We've been using the one from Octura.

Thanks again for letting me borrow it. My boat likes that prop much better than the X445. Not necessarily faster, but much more stable.

[Patrick M]

Tried machining a 3/16" shaft (Small Parts ground stainless) for my balancer today. Unless your magnets are a lot stronger than the magnets in my Power Point, it won't work. Not enough ferrous material in the 303 stainless to support the weight of an X445, the magnets would barely support the shaft. Then tried a piece of 3/16" drill rod...... too much ferrous mass.... it was held to the magnet with enough pressure to interfere with its freedom of rotation. Went back to the stock 1/8" shaft and mounted an aluminum sleeve to fit 3/16 props.

[Pete B.]

Chris here's

http://www.rumrunnerhobbies.com/accessories.htm a solution

:)

[Patrick M]

Nice setup...... maybe I can talk Santa into bringing one along with my 1895 micro.......

[Pete B.]

1895? what are you planning on running arc welder?

[Chris S.]

I have been looking at that ballancer too and the prop holder, I am tired of cutting my fingers. I spent my evening trying to balance the shaft, it has a visible wobble to it. that would also explain some strut bearing issues I have been having. there goes the savings account....

[Patrick M]

Chris-

Is the shaft bent or is the endpoint off center? Roll the shaft on a flat surface to check it. The cone on one end of my balancer shaft is not centered, when that end is against the magnet, the shaft appears to wobble. Also check the surface of the plastic on the magnet, mine had some grooves from dragging the shaft point across it. I wet sanded them out with 600 grit paper.

[Chris S.]

the shaft has wobble ie bent. I went the hard route and pollished my magnets with rouge, then white diamond ( jewelers polish). I polish them before every ballancing. If I could find a new "straight" shaft i would be A O.K.