Scale 3-Blade 9-1/2 X 10 Variable Pitch Prop

I think the other reviews pretty much tell the good and bad about these props. I've been modeling for 40+ years so I've been around and know what works and doesn't. The way I see it, you can use these props in 3 different positions w/o using the tricky gauge. One is in the "as arrived" which some say is 10" and one said 7" pitch. On most of the Alfa and Flying Stryo models using a small S400 size brushless, the pitch needs to be changed. So, we have the as arrived pitch, after grinding off the tab, you can move the blades to either the full pich or minimum pitch. I used a drop of CA after holding each blade in thier least pitch position and put the hub back together.

I used it on the Alfa Corsair and man is it cool looking. I plan on getting several of these for other 3-blade models I have. I'll have to do some mods to the spinners but these props look so cool on scale models it's almost a crime to use an APC slow flyer prop! Get one, use the minimum pitch on an S400 and make that scale model look and fly great!

Very nice looking propellers.

Main issue is there is no REAL rating for how high an RPM these are safe. Thats chopping the rating from Excellent to... mediocre.

The blade design is appropriate for use at high rpm and is ineffecient for use on a typical "Park Flyer"
That essentially makes the prop only useful for display until we get a REAL rating of what RPM they can withstand.

I bought 2 (a couple of years ago) intending to use them on a Polks Hobbies DC3. (comes with speed 600 brushed motors... which I replaced with brushless) but I still have no idea if the props can handle the power and have never gotten a meaningful answer to :

What is safe max rpm? (the only way to KNOW you aren't spinning a prop too fast is to have a NUMBER and use a tachometer)

I have the 4-blade on my P47 and these 3-blade hubs on my SBD Dauntless. These are the best looking props on the market and the included decals just make them pop. Word of caution, you have to seal the water-slide decals with clearcoat if you want them to last.

Props are best left at stock pitch. Sawing off the lugs is a nuisance and the pitch gauge is a real PITA to use. This is the only reason I don't give them 5 stars. I have started switching to lower kV motors so I don't have to change pitch.

Power is good, props are surprisingly durable and perform well on scale models. Wish they made some bigger ones. Did I mention how good they look?

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1073715
for more complete review

Hobby Lobby says:

Quote:

* NOTE - These props are for Electric Parkflyer Aircraft ONLY! They are NOT for use with glow engines or extremely powerful electric motors!

But with no definition of "extremely powerful"

Email contact with their support staff came up with a recommendation for 500 watts maximum for any of the assorted 3 and 4 blade adjustable pitch props. (9.5 and 11 inch dia)

After examination of the hubs... I wouldn't push them much past 300 watts. they are a plastic similar to that used for a typical non-flying scale plastic model kit. The prop blade plastic won't be any stronger than the material used in a GWS orange Slow Flyer prop.

I also advise avoiding changing from the default pitch. Once you shave off the "key" from the individual blade hub end you have no way to lock in the pitch and are at the mercy of the friction fit when you screw the hub together. There's no indexing splines to aid in getting the same pitch on all blades.

The included pitch gauge can work... but it will take some practice using it. You must use the same distance from the blade tip when making comparisons adjusting the multiple blades to the same pitch.
Note that the advertised default pitch is 10 inches.
There is a 10 inch reference line on the pitch gauge.
The measured pitch assembling the prop with the default setting is 7 inches. I checked at 5 locations between hub and tip and all were the same.

The scale appearance is VERY good. But there were no decals to put on the blades in the package...

This unit was very bad, had no power,couldn't get off the ground with a full charge battery.Totaled on first flight.Lost my investment.Will seriously reconsider any future purchases.

Looks great, but is not variable. I posted on HL info page and was told I had to cut the tabs off for the prop to be variable. IMHO, I should not have to cut or modify the prop to make it meet advertised capabilities. I am sending the two I bought back and a bit disappointed. I did really like the look though. Maybe it is just good for static display.