Microlighters

Does anybody know what torque the bolts should be tightened to when fastening one of Peter Denekers props. Uses 8mm bolts and goes on a 503 trike.

Really want to get the prop back on this weekend, and keep forgetting to phone Peter during the week. Don't want to bother him over weekend if at all possible.

Ta

Clifton

Wooden props don't really have a specific torque because the wood just keeps on compressing untill it crack's. I torque the bolts to 8nm and then check the tracking. If correct I torque to 12nm and lock the prop bolts with a Nylock nut with some locktite. Do not overtighten the locknut at the back. A good idea is to paint some cutex on the nut and tread to see if the bolts come loose.

12nm sounds correct after tracking set!

I use an interlocking washer specially designed to be used at high vibration points. The washer counter rotates with vibration to tighten and not become loose! Will get the name of the washer....

Pieter is the kind of person that you can phone at 2 in the morning and he'll help you. He has a booklet about caring and setting up his props... get one and in it you'll find all the nitty gritty about wooden props and even some things you never knew about the thing that makes us go up!

Cool thanks guys

I will be speaking to Peter about that booklet.

Clifton

Just a point, I used to fly a Windlass (Ladysmith) with a wooden prop quite a few years ago..one day out playing and then a strange feeling. Some freewheeling like a clutch in a car was slipping eish all prop bolts broken, the lot.
Did a dead stick and freewheeled then stopped, prop literally fell off !! Every single bolt had sheared and torqued supposedly to whatever.

So its humidity, temperatures and all...phone someone who knows ! Cos I dont !!

eish Zulu1

I had a broken prop bolt about a mounth ago and replaced it promptly. Last week, after the Vredendal trip, I noticed I had four broken prop bolts, including the new one.

So, if one bolt needs replacement, replace ALL of them ! ! ! (Tq 8Nm)

Regards

The tsotsi