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Woodcomp Prop

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hgmckay

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 397

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 5:24 am Post subject: Woodcomp Prop

I have a Woodcomp Klassic 160/3/R on my Allegro 2000. I notice that the leading edge of the prop blades have some type protective tape covering them. I also notice in the manufacturer’s installation instructions a statement that when operating in aggressive conditions or on unimproved runways (i.e. grass strips) it is necessary to protect the leading edge with a “special tape”.  I have two questions:  

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>    What is this special tape?  
Where does one get it if needed?  
How does one know when to replace it?   
If a prop of this type is nicked on the leading      edge, can it be repaired?  
If it can be repaired, what is the method, and      can the owner do it?  
On my prop this tape is carried out to the blade      tip and around the curved end. The centrifugal force of the prop rotation      is causing the tape to begin to separate (creep) from the end of the prop      blades. This seems to me to be inefficient and could cause out of balance      vibrations. Any comments?   

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]>  

Hugh McKay  

Allegro 2000  

N661WW  

        [quote][b]

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Thom Riddle

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1597
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA (9G0)

Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 3:21 am Post subject: Woodcomp Prop

Hugh,



We have the same prop on our Allegro but there is no leading edge tape.  

We operate mostly from paved runways but also fly into unimproved ones  

with some frequency. The leading edge of our prop continues to get  

nicks and chips.



1.	Many prop leading edge protective tapes are made of polyurethane.

2.	PowerFin Props (in USA) makes one of the best products  for leading  

edge protection.

3.	When the tape looks like it has taken all the abuse it can and is no  

longer protecting the prop.

4.	Yes, it is important to repair these nicks.

5.	I contacted Woodcomp about what to use for these repairs and was  

told to use either epoxy or polyester resins to fill the nicks. I have  

and continue to use epoxy because we have some on hand. Fill the nicks  

a little higher than the surrounding surface, let cure completely, then  

sand down to conform to profile and polish edge. The owner can do it.

6.	Balance is critical for smooth operation. Do whatever you have to do  

to make sure the same amount of tape is still on each blade by trimming  

or replacing the tape.



For what its worth, if our prop gets full of resin on the edges, we  

will consider replacing it with a different manufacturer's prop. Two of  

the most rugged and ones are Warp Drive (a good bit heavier than  

Woodcomp) and the GSC props with their extremely hard material imbedded  

in the leading edge of their wooden blades. I've never seen a Warp  

Drive prop with any leading edge damage. I've owned and flown a GSC  

prop (from BC Canada) on another airplane with pusher engine  

installation (Titan Tornado) where the prop picks up all kinds of stuff  

from the main wheels of the aircraft and the leading edge protection  

never showed any damage. The GSC wooden props are a good bit lighter  

than the Warp Drive. PowerFin also makes a very good very light prop  

but it needs periodic replacement of the leading edge protection.  All  

the homebuilders I know who have all three of these props are very  

happy with them.



http://www.powerfin.com/

http://www.warpdriveprops.com/

http://www.ultralightprops.com/tech_series_props/ 

gsc_tech_groundadjust.htm



I hope this helps.



Thom in Buffalo



Time: 	06:24:13 AM PST US

From: 	"Hugh McKay III" <hgmckay(at)bellsouth.net>

Subject: 	Woodcomp Prop

I have a Woodcomp Klassic 160/3/R on my Allegro 2000. I notice that the

       leading edge of the prop blades have some type protective tape  

covering

       them. I also notice in the manufacturers installation  

instructions a

       statement that when operating in aggressive conditions or on  

unimproved

       runways (i.e. grass strips) it is necessary to protect the  

leading edge with

       a special tape.  I have two questions:



       1.	What is this special tape?

       2.	Where does one get it if needed?

       3.	How does one know when to replace it?

       4.	If a prop of this type is nicked on the leading edge, can it  

be repaired?

       5.	If it can be repaired, what is the method, and can the owner  

do it?

       6.	On my prop this tape is carried out to the blade tip and  

around the

       curved end. The centrifugal force of the prop rotation is causing  

the tape

       to begin to separate (creep) from the end of the prop blades.  

This seems to

       me to be inefficient and could cause out of balance vibrations.  

Any

       comments?

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_________________
Thom Riddle
Buffalo, NY (9G0)

Don't worry about old age... it doesn't last very long.
- Anonymous

airgriff(at)surferz.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 5:40 am Post subject: Woodcomp Prop

Good morning Hugh and guys,  I can't answer  your questions without doing further research but I can tell you our tape came  loose on the tips and we trimmed it back very carefully, cutting only the tape,  using a sheetrock knife and it was alot neater and stayed put. Our new 07 model  should arrive in the US in a week.

 Bob Griffin 

   [quote][b]

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