I'm building my first quad and have got almost all the parts except the propellers. Can folks here please recommend what size of props would be suitable for my build.

Specs:  115mm toothpick frame, 12A namelessRC AIO, Mamba 1103 12000KV motors, caddx ant camera, Akk nano VTX and 2S lipos.

I'm thinking of going for 2" props but they seem too small and I really don't want to mess the ESC or motors through large current draw.

From what I read, you can run 2.5” props on that size frame.. that added .5” will make a difference.. I would recommend the avan rush props…

What frame is it?

115mm should be 3" props. So I would go with the GemFan 3018 Bi-Blade, or 3016 Tri-Blades:
https://www.racedayquads.com/collections...your-color

https://www.racedayquads.com/collections...your-color

Since the 1103 motors will spin 3 inch props, I would start there as long as the frame will handle them. You can always throw on some 2.5" props and see how it flies. I generally have a variety of props and tend to experiment with different ones.

Props sort of depend on what how you want to fly. If you want endurance and longer fly times, the I would go with a bi-blade prop such as the HQProp or the Gemfan Hurricane. 

If you are leaning more toward performance then a tri-blade generally provides a little better handling. For tri-blades, I like the 2.5" EMAX Avan Rush and the 3" EMAX Mini (these are basically the same prop, just different sizes).

I agree with iFly4rotors on experimenting with different props. Of all the things we use in this hobby, props are by far the cheapest. By a few different ones and try them out. I have a cardboard box filled with bags of props from trying out different types/brands.

Props are often viewed as a personal choice, there is no "best" prop.

While many of us agree on a few really good ones, don't be afraid to try other ones and see for yourself.

I recently discovered I love 4 bladed props on my 5" quad. I still use 3-blade props on it as well, but when there are people around and I want to be quieter and stay close to myself doing some tight flying I throw on the 4-blades. Tried them out just for fun, because a set of props is only a few $, and turns out I love them! You never know until you try.

I would start with the 3018 Bi blade from Gemfan as they are a really popular 3" prop for toothpick-style quads. It's what I have on my 3" toothpick right now, in fact.

as it is pretty high kv at 12000 its not well suited for 3inch on 2s. even on 1s 1103 is small for 3inch.

i would suggest hq 65mm biblades. it might be able to spin a lightweight triblade, there wouldbbe the hq 65mmx3 or the hq2525x3.
4blade rotors are to heavy either, it would need to go smaller on the rotor diameter:2"

try as much as you can, props can make a huge difference. flightfeeling is personal so you will need to explore for the best combination.

Thank you everyone for replies. I will be ordering a bunch of different props like 65mm bi blade and some 2" tri blades. I tried Azure power 2035 and it flew nice but I will try other props for now.

I did not plan on posting this but something weird happened to me today with the Gemfan Tri-Blade 3016X3 props on my 1s BabyTooth: 
https://fpvcycle.com/collections/props/p...6043590767

Just to add context, the props had almost 20 flights on them without any crashes (they literally look brand new) and I did not fly the drone in the last few months. 

These are the 2mm bore press-fit props and slide onto the motor shaft with literally finger pressure. 

Today after flashing the latest version of BlueJay firmware, I decided to go for a few test flights in my back yard. 

On first arm followed by the throttle, the quad failed to take off and after taking my goggles off, I noticed I was missing 3 props. 

I was taking off from the flat pavement and so no chance of any grass getting caught onto the prop blades.

I thought I had an issue with the motor directions but I have not changed that since I first built the quad and I have never taken the props off after the build. 

I immediately connected it to BetaFlight and noticed nothing wrong with motor directions. I put on new props and flew 4 packs without any issues.

I could not understand what had happened and after some searching around the grass I found the props. 

One prop had shattered at the hub and the other two had cracks at the hub:



In this photo we can see that one of the props has a hairline fracture extending all the way to the prop blade:



In this photo we can see after apply slight pressure with my fingers, the cracks at the hub:



Apologies for the dark photos as I only took them this evening with my mobile phone after I thought it will be interesting to post them here.

I still can't believe this has happened and I can't explain how it took 20 packs previously before without any failures but then on first flight after 3 months stored in a cupboard they fail at once. We have not had a very cold winter in Adelaide this year to the extent that the hubs were so brittle.

Probably I have a bad batch.

Hi drone538,

Given that you are using 1103 motors, I am presuming that you want a nice little quad to fly around, learn, and maybe try a trick or two...if you really wanted a high performance "pocket rocket", you would likely have used different size motors...maybe 1105 or 1204 or maybe even larger. With that assumption...

The original build of my Phantom-X had 1103 7650Kv motors spinning 3" Gemfan Hurricane 3018 bi-blade props and it flew just fine {for me anyway} on 2s batteries. Next, I tried 4" HQProp T4x2 props {just for fun}. Again, the quad flew just fine on 2s 650 mAh batteries. I will say, however, that the 4" props did not provide any longer fly times, but it was a smooth ride.  So, just to be clear, the 1103 motor will, in fact, spin 3" props just fine...plus any small prop regardless of the number of blades. I would try the 3" Gemfan Hurricane 3018 bi-blade first. 

By the way, the stock GEPRC Phantom has 1103 8000 Kv motors and comes with 2.5" bi-blade props. However, I have used tri-blades with no issues. In fact, I have a set of those new turbine style 5-blade 2.5" props that I am going to try.

There is a lot of, what I will call, "conventional wisdom" regarding motor size and what size props they will spin which I have discovered is a bit "arbitrary" and depends on what you want from the quad. For me, I like easy cruising with some proximity flying and maybe a loop or two, but no "balls-to-the-wall" performance for acro stunts. I find that it is less about motor to prop size and more about thrust {motor + prop} to the weight of the craft {All Up Weight including battery and payload} in order to achieve the type of performance you are looking for. 

From my perspective, it is somewhat misleading to say the a given motor will not spin a given prop. Start somewhere, do some test flights, then try other props until you find the ones that work best FOR YOU. Props are cheap...and... the thing that will likely be replaced the most, especially if you crash a lot. For me, a good landing is one where nothing got broken and I don't have to walk too fart to get my quad.

Buy several sizes and types...then try them all...see what works best for you. 

Hi Kafie,

Thanks for sharing. That is good to know.

By the way, I tried some of the 4" Gemfan "hybrid" props {the ones where you can use T-Mount or 5mm motors} and broke a prop on the very first flight. Ok, this was on a pusher quad, but still...I didn't find them very durable. I have presumed that it was due to the hybrid mounting which has less material at the hub area. With your information, it seems that they could just be using a "plastic" that is prone to breakage. 

On the other hand, I have had no issues with the Gemfan Hurricane 3018 bi-blade props.

I also say, I find the HQProps to be more durable than the Gemfan props. I have used the HQProps the most, I have had them on pretty much every quad at one time or another, and {so far} have never had one break. In my opinion, HQProp propellers are the most durable that I have used and my 1st choice. Also, I have never broken an EMAX tri-blade prop; they are very tough props as well and my top choice for a tri-blade {plus they look really aggressive} 

By they way, I always bolt my props on. I got tired of losing props...even when they appeared to be extremely tight fit, the motor force is enough to dislodge them especially during a crash. Bolts will not prevent breakage, but at least part of the prop generally stays with the motor.

1. "biggest" prop is almost always best. Take any 5" freestyle quad, and any 3" prop = terrible. unfliable.

2. Cant go wrong with 3018. They are cheap. durable. light.

3. Mamba 1103 12000KV.. its 1S I presume. Be careful about overloading/smoking such small motors. Big 22xx motors have bigger bearing and more heat mass to withstand very bent or broken prop.

Also. Little was said about your AUW.
In general, anything below 1204 TP3 is VERY sensitive to extra weight. +10g is big deal. Its different flying experience to 3". Im used to 20% hover. Tried whoops and 2". Crashed in 20sec.


Stator volume.. roughly proportional to torque/power.
1102 60
1103 91 <<<<<
your tiny motors
1202.5 90
1203 108
1303 127
1204 144
1106 181
1303.6 152