Just got my balance rod. Took some new props OOB, and my wife's nail file (don't tell her).
Working on the leading edge and the outside first 1/3 of the blade area. It takes a lot of sanding to make a difference. I'd try my Dremel but I'd probably really screw it up.
Also Earl, I am using a glass for the rod to sit on and I assume you should have it pretty level as well to prevent faulty balance?
Yes. Use a bullet (or other) level across the top of the dubro to make sure it is level. It is crucial.
There are a hundred (or more) ways to do this that I am sure will work, and you can find hundreds of videos online, each with variations of adding/subtracting weight with diffferent methods, and balancing at the hub, wings, top side, bottom side, etc.
I am lazy at heart and I like doing things quickly, and boiling it down to what is important and discarding what isn't. I am sure everyone has systems that work.
What I do is the simplest quickest way I have found. It works, and it works for both Phantom and Solo.
I have found that the hubs aren't the issue on these, and I have not found a prop for either I couldn't balance perfectly without sanding the blades. I used a balancing rod for Phantom/Solo, a Dubro, a block of wood, l level, and a battery operated corner sander.
I set the Dubro on a flat surface, and put the block under each side, to level it. I then place the level across the top of the DuBro cradled as the rod will be, to make sure it is level, and adjust accordingly.
Now that it is level, I attach the prop to the rod and place it on the Dubro and turn it so the blades are at 9:00 and 3:00. 8 out of 10 props will have one side fall down. The sander I use sits upright, with the sanding surface perpendicular to the floor. I turn that on and rake the trailing end of the heavy blade across the sander. It is a bit like sharpening a knife and takes some art, but doing this is very quick.
I continue to do this, moving the prop blades to various points around the clock and sanding the heavy side until it will stay still at any point. This happens quick, and usually takes 1 to 3 sandings. I currently have 24 balanced props (2 Solos) as well as 12 for (1) Phantom. I hear people talking about balancing the hub, but I have just not found it necessary for props like this that are more precision than the old props wth holes all the way through.
I made a short crude video with GoPro to explain. Like I said, I am lazy. I only had balanced props to start with so I started by sanding the "other" side of a previously balanced prop to unbalance one again for illustration.
