keeping balance

[Brent Drake]

I have a set of RAF blades. I have gotten the 2-rev shake out. But now I believe the blades are out of balance. I put a quarter on the blade that is the lightest. I used ductape to hold the quarter about 6" from the tip. The blades to to be very balanced with this taped on. PROBLEM is that the duct tape cannot hold the quarter over about 200 rpm. The qurater slips out from under the duct tape at that point and my shake is back. Ive tried duct tape several differnet ways and even used duct tape with a nylon string reinforcement. Id like to make a temporary fix to make sure the quarter is the right weight. If it is, then how do I make it permanent. I noticed the end of the blade seem stiffer than the center. If so, can i cut a slot, insert it, then epoxy over it?
I know you al on here have lots more experience than I and all ideas and comments are welcome.

Thanks
Brent

[darrellwittke]

I believe the proper way is to drill and thread a hole in the rotor spar, get some threaded brass rod, place the quarter on one side of a balance, trim a section of brass rod until it balances out the quarter, and loctite it in place.

More experienced builders will probaly chime in, be patient and good luck.

[Brent Drake]

Thanks Darrell, Your idea sounds alot better than mine.
Brent

[AirHorse1]

I had heard that with older RAF blades, you would drill a hole in the blade and squirt in a heavy liquid (possibly lead) for the right amount of weight and smooth it out. The liquid then hardens. Dont know if this is all correct, as I have not had to do this to my own.

[Ron Iaconis]

Hey,
I have worked on 18 sets of Bensen blades( rebuilt them) and he use lead always. On Bensen blades,he had a 3/8ths hole on each end,and the hole was about 2 inched deep,enough for a good bit of lead, there was a roll pin holding an aluminum plug,,knock out the roll pin , pull out the aluminum plug,and there was the lead.I have many times added or removed the lead to balance them.

[Brent Drake]

Thanks Guys, I drilled the end of the blade. It had an aluminum end. I put a brass screw in the end and now the balance is excellant. I really appreciate your help.
Thanks again
Brent