With current day trend of using powerful motors, high pitch props, clockwise spinning motor with right-hand threaded shaft – most of us would have our fair share of the frustration of loose props halfway through a race or crashing a quad due to a loose prop coming off and spinning to some distance place. Loose props is going to be part and parcel of quadcopter racing, at least until POPO compatibility on motors and props becomes common place. In the meanwhile, here are some tips from Mr. T, especially for the new pilots to look out for.
Always use self-locking flanged nuts and change them when they are worn. Worn nuts are usually either when rounded and or when you are able to easily hand-tighten them past the nylon lock ring.
Most current props has thicker hub, check that the motor shaft protrudes past the nylon ring at the top of the nut after tightening. Also, consider changing all props nuts to low profile type.
For the more obsessed or in a race environment – scouring the underside of the prop hub where it sits on the motor will provide that extra bit of insurance. No need to overdo it, just roughen the surface a little using either coarse sandpaper, small file or a penknife should do the trick, less than a minute to do a set of props.
Hopefully with the above we will hear less of –“ Loose props that’s why I lose” till next time keep spinning!!