I don't agree that using an adjustable prop to figure out what length and pitch will be helpfull. Different prop makers measure pitch differently. There are also a lot of other variables like blade chord, blade airfoil and thickness, blade taper, etc. that make comparisons from one brand to the other difficult at best.
I still personally like Sterba props a lot. He is very good at getting it pretty close the first time when you tell him what engine and plane you have and what type of performance you are looking for and he will rework it free if you need it. He cut down and repitched the prop on my Midget Mustang a few months ago. I told him that I wanted better cruise and top end speed and better climb without going up to race level RPMs. What I got back was right at the RPM I was looking for and gave me the performance I wanted. I was pretty impressed with the fact that he originally did this prop for the previous owner of the plane years ago and he didn't charge me a dime. I also needed it refinished anyway so I wound up with a free refinish job. I was so happy with it that I sent him $75 after it was back so I could at least reimburse him for the shipping and some of his time. Brian Kraut Engineering Alternatives, Inc. www.engalt.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Colin Rainey Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2006 4:48 PM To: KRnet Subject: KR> VW cranks Yes it is the consenting opinion of all the direct drive VW builders that running anything other than a wooden prop for any length of time at all will result in a crank failure, I believe with or without the Force One hub. If you run a composite prop, I would use it to test for the best pitch prop in that length, and then replace with wooden prop with that length and pitch. I made mention of the props that I ran as wooden props (sorry I did not clearify), and what I was doing to evaluate my particular version of the Corvair, since I am running a Kiehin carb and vacuum advance distribution (non WW distributor). Until it is completely tested I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SETUP to any other builders. You are free to test what you feel safe with, but do not mis-interpret my post as being an after flight testing combination setup. Several other KR pilots have given very specific setup combinations in their posts that they are flying now with success. If you don't know what to use, I would suggest following their lead of tried and true performance, and then once you have established a baseline, begin experimenting if you desire. Colin Rainey [email protected] _______________________________________ Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to [email protected] please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
