Help needed with new Warp drive on my 582

[SkySteve]

Great idea there, TJ. I LIKE it! Now, where did I put that scrap waferboard....?

[jiott]

I also have the problem of the blade jumping when I try to turn it just a mite. The first blade is ok with all the bolts backed off, but when I tighten the bolts on that first blade just enough to hold it from moving, it adds enough friction to the other blades that they jump when moved. Maybe I'll try that "tool".

[rv9ralph]

I didn't get quite as fancy when I needed a blade wrench to adjust my prop. I took 2 1x2s approximately 18" long and screwed them together loosely at one end, slipped them over the blade and held the open together to move the blade. Worked great and only took a few minutes to put together.

Ralph

[Rodney]

Here is how I measure my prop angles. I'm sure it's very close to what Avidflyer is doing too.

First, went to Amazon and bought a 12" Bosch level that also projects a laser dot. While I do the procedure in the hanger, the dot is bright enough to do on the ramp.

Since I have a Warpdrive prop, I take all my measurements at the tip of the prop.

First I level the prop using the bubble level in the Bosch. Then I take a measurement (distance) from the tip of the prop to the ground. I drop a plumb bob from the tip of the prop to the ground and using a black magic marker, make a dot on the ground.

Then I clamp the Bosch level to the tip of the prop. It projects the dot on to the hanger floor. I mark that dot on the floor with the magic marker.

I measure from the plumb bob dot to the laser dot and I have two sides of a right triangle. Using a little trig you solve for the included angle, and you have your prop pitch.

Then I pull the next prop into position, and instead of using a level, I all ready know how high the tip of the prop should be from the floor, and I use that measurement. Clamp the laser level to the tip of the second prop and see where the laser dot is on the floor.

It's not hard to adjust the second and third props to exactly hit the mark on the floor.

If I want to adjust the prop 1/2 a degree, say from 12 to 11.5, I calculate how far the leg of the triangle should be from the plumb bob dot, and measure along the floor to make a new dot. Then adjust each prop to hit that dot.

Sorry for the long explanation of the procedure, but am trying to be specific enough to give a complete procedure.

Hope that is useful to someone.

Regards
Rodney

[Rodney]

I got to thinking about a couple of things after I posted my procedure.

Two things: 1. If you have a taildragger, your going to need to level the airplane, and also be able to bring it back to the same attitude again if you want to re-adjust the prop. Maybe measure how high the tailwheel is off of the concrete when it's level?? What ever method, just so you can repeat it.

2. I thought it would be good to give an example from my airplane. You DON'T need to know trig to do this procedure.

My prop is 52 inches above the concrete when level. I drop a plumb bob to the floor and mark that location.

So now I need to measure along the floor to set a point for the lazer dot to get my proper prop pitch.

12.5 degrees = 11.5 inches

12 degrees = 11 inches

11.5 degrees = 10.6 inches

11 degrees = 10.1 inches

10.5 degrees = 9.6 inches.

For all practical purposes, 1/2" along the floor = 1/2" of a degree of prop pitch.

So even for trial and error - start with your original prop setting, and get your measurements - both prop height and distance between dots on the floor. Go fly the airplane. Want a little more climb then bring it back to the hanger - level the airplane - set the prop height at the tip - drop the plumb bob and then measure a line along the floor and put your dot say 1/2 - 5/8 of an inch shorter than the original measurement.
Set the other two blades ( or blade ) and go fly again.

You don't really have to know that your prop is 11.489 degrees

Set it where it flies best for you and enjoy. Also, suggest you document where you started and where you ended up. Then three months later, if you want to make a slight adjustment, you have some records to go back too. Plus I forget everything that is now two hours old -or older.

Rodney

[jiott]

Rodney, I like your very clear explanation of a good method.