What is the preferred way to balance quad props?  Use tape to add weight, or to sand to remove weight?  And if you prefer sanding, is sanding ok with carbon fiber props?

Is it raw carbon fiber?

If the edge is sealed then do not sand it. If it has no resin, sand away. Otherwise you will delaminate it the second that resin has a gap.

Its much easier to add tape then to add carbon fiber.

With current firmware, balancing props is a thing of the past, especially FPV flyers. I have flown with pretty beat up props and it just works.

Carbon fiber props are dangerous. They tend to break instead of bend.

Don't have an opinion about the sanding. Delamination is an issue.

I no longer balance props for my smaller FPV quads (that I crash a lot), but I do for my AP rig to help get rid of as much vibration as possible.

When balancing, I try to do it through material removal. If it's too far off, I might add weight to the opposite side. To add weight, I don't use tape for the blades. I put a thin stream of CA or clear fingernail polish on the light side. If I need more, I add another layer of CA/polish. The only time I use tape is when balancing the hub. Then I add a small piece of fuzzy velcro and add CA to the fibers until balanced. (And always complete the balancing of the blades before starting on the hub.)

BTW, My AP rig uses 2-bladed props. Haven't balanced 3 or 4 bladed props - I imagine hub balancing wouldn't be that important for a 4-blade.

I am going to assume this is for your 10" props on your new build. On plane props I used thick 'super glue'. Place drops at the back of the light side at about 3/4 length of the prop whilst still in the balancer. Wick off extra with a tooth pick if needed. You can spread it in or out from the hub for fine adjustment. Once balanced remove from balancer and lay face down until the glue sets.

I like the concept of sanding...but your idea of fingernail polish/super glue if one adds material, seems like a good idea,  sloscotty/lagman.  Thanks for the suggestion.  I'm guessing tha CF has some sort of clear coat for the lack of a more appropriate term.  Light sanding, ok for minor imbalance, or no?

(26-Jul-2018, 02:17 AM)sloscotty Wrote: BTW, My AP rig uses 2-bladed props.  Haven't balanced 3 or 4 bladed props - I imagine hub balancing wouldn't be that important for a 4-blade.

I'm going to try to stay with bi blades....but would go to 3 blades if I found something I really like.  I guess I will need to hit YT to learn how to balance 3 blades....no 4 blades for me.

To be honest sanding is probably fine for your props. The props I was using were 17" folding blades on a Hotliner. They had a habit of exploding anyway so I was extra careful when balancing them.

I never sand my props, too messy and takes too long. A square of black electrical tape on the underside of the prop. Then just trim off strips with a razor blade until the prop is balanced. I have props that are 2 years old and the tape has never come off. One other thing to keep in mind when balancing (this is all in reference to larger birds running 10 inch or higher props) is don't remove or mess with the stickers on the motors. They aren't just for looks, some companies actually use them to balance their motors.

(26-Jul-2018, 02:20 PM)RENOV8R Wrote:  One other thing to keep in mind when balancing (this is all in reference to larger birds running 10 inch or higher props) is don't remove or mess with the stickers on the motors.  They aren't just for looks, some companies actually use them to balance their motors.

That's really good info, and much appreciated.  I'm a total non-sticker guy on all my stuff, cars, (I totally debadge my vehicles) motorcycles, etc.  So it might have been possible that I would do that.  It makes perfect sense too...so, THANK YOU!