Spinners

You guys will go where you want, I am sure, but I am only interested in spinners for two bladed props. (You guys scared me to death in the three blade discussion).

Any tips on using them? Forget the Kiwi backflip using the spinner, just normal propping.

Elsewhere today I mentioned Back-Flipping. I use the word "bump" when I describe the FEEL of a combustible mixture trying to ignite. You turn FORWARD to feel that, and flip backward. But something similar has been done by some modellers with just a thumb and forefinger hand-spinning a spinner backward. Personally, I've never tried that version and I don't know that any of the native Kiwis in the land of my birth are doing it.

The starting method that I use is the NORMAL routine in the combat circles, and has been for many years. There are a few innovations in that event that I'll claim I used before anyone else (at least among Texas Combat folks) did, that caught on, but none are named as a Kiwi method.

The electronic handle got started with CB's in the early 1970's, and almost no one around the combat circles knows me that way -- fact is, among the youngest of those folks I've lost my first name and am known as "Mr.," or worse yet, simply as "Jeff's Dad."

Kiwi

I was too vague. I want a 2" yellow spinner. Du-Bro has them. Goldberg has them. Tatone and Great Planes have red, which I could live with if you think Tatone or Great Planes are better than the Du-Bro and Goldberg. I don't know of anyone else making colored spinners. If you do, jump in.

Now, if we go yellow, would you choose Du-Bro or Goldberg? If you like neither for quality / ease of use / reliability reasons, would you choose Tatone or Great Planes?

Thanks,
Larry F

There are plastic spinners with aluminum back plates which give you a little of both worlds, but these, again, add weight...and cost. It is all a matter of what you want. If you are planting planes into concrete then you will definitely want to stick with plastic.

A 2 inch Goldberg weighs .70 ounces while a 2 inch DuBro weighs .85 ounces (heavier because of the two bolts holding it together.)

I don't have a TruTurn spinner to weigh, but I do have a Randy Smith aluminum which should be very comparable--maybe even lighter. You have to weigh everything--including the adapter nut--to compare these. The 2 inch round nose with the lightweight aluminum back plate and lightweight adapter nut weighs 1.59 ounces. Add two grams for the needle nose version. You can shave about .15 ounce off of that with the Titanium back plate and a little more even with the carbon fiber back plate, but the latter flexes, and I am not real happy with that. We have used these, though, to adjust nose weight (and give us an excuse to test the product), but it all gets a bit pricey for the "average Joe". No way around it, they are heavier. But they are a better product and you pay for it.

The top competitors will probably use the aluminum. The sport flyer and lower class competitors will probably (and should probably) stick with plastic--unless, of course, you need the nose weight.

I love built in excuses! Thanks! I can imagine the Monday after a contest in Phillipe, WV, and having this conversation with a co-worker"

"Howdja do at the contest?"

"Came in last."

"What happened?"

"Had a plastic spinner."

Just funnin' with you, you know!

For big bucks, I've seen some gorgeous machined magnesium spinners from on of the former Soviet block countries. These are absolutly beautifully machined, fitted, and weigh about the same or a little less than the plastic spinners.

Recently, I believe I've found the best and lightest spinner made. I recieved a Stalker spinner from Modusa with my new ST .40RE. It has the Veco shape, is made from CF with either an aluminum or magnesium back plate. I believe the Nut assy is made from the same material. The shell of the spinner is gel coated white, and the metal parts have a nice smooth black anodising type of finish.

The best part is that this 2" spinner complete weighs in at .6 oz's on one of those great digital scales.

I highly recommend these for those who want to lighten up the front end.

But if you have a Stalker, they are nice. I am not sure about the balance on them, however.

Where do you find these? How much is cost?

You have to watch out for the design of the plastic spinners, as most seem to have recessed backplates. This would require different clearance than an aluminum one. Goldberg's spinners are
flush designs (pretty sure, looked at one in the package last night). There are lots of designs, but you would want to pick a brand that you can get if you need to purchase a replacement after a prang. Either a plastic or aluminum spinner will do your engine some good in case of extra-low flying, by absorbing some of the impact. G'flyin', Steve

LAST EDITED ON Mar-30-01 AT 10:11 PM (EST)

For small spinners for 1/2a, take a look at Hobby Lobby, I think Graupner makes some that are suitable, bigger sizes too. Different designs than all the rest, maybe will work better (or maybe worse?), but worth a shot. Steve

EDIT: I was kinda right, kinda wrong. Graupner and Robbe both make spinners of 30mm dia (about 1.18"), but Hobby Lobby doesn't show them in their catalog. However, if you check under "props and adapters" at http://www.newcreations-rc.com/index.htm, they do. But no pictures. They also have both Graupner and Robbe glass/nylon props. I think you'd like the Robbe 10-5, 10-6, 11-5, 12-5, and 12-6, good wide blades. This is a hobby shop in Texas that specializes in electric R/C stuff. I got the props I ordered from them in good time. Steve