Prop Savers: Do you use them?

[mybad]

Less than two weeks into this hobby, I have broken two gearboxes and one firewall.

I just became aware of something called a PROP SAVER. It uses o-rings or rubber bands to actually connect the prop, the idea being that the rubber will break rather than the prop or gearbox or firewall or ... fuselage.

What has been your experience/advice?

[flydiver]

I did use a prop saver on mine. It did work....but....you are pushing beyond 100W with the LP Cub. I was using NiMh and under 100W. This power tends to make them unstable. Getting one to fit absolutely solid is critical and this can be difficult with the wide range of props and prop saver adapters on the market. You will also need double 'bands' to hold it on well.

With that kind of damage it sounds evident you are crashing hard enough that a prop saver will not make any difference in saving gearboxes and firewalls. So, it really won't help much for that. They are most useful on nose-overs on take-off and landing when you get a prop strike but not a major bash. The only way to stop breaking the parts you are concerned with is not to bash them-much easier said than done. It's a stage we all have to go through.

The prop bands don't break---the prop merely dislodges off it's 'precarious' setting. Mine WOULD dislodge in the air on aggressive maneuvers before I started using double bands.

This is how they look for a smaller shaft one:
www.headsuprc.com/servlet/the-1466/Prop-Saver-for-3.0mm/Detail
Cub has a 4mm shaft which can be a bit harder to find since by the time you get to the larger shafts you are dealing with more power and prop savers aren't as viable.

Here's one:
www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=C3692002
Cheap, like most of them, unfortunately minimum shipping is $8 I think.
Others:
www.maxxprod.com/mpi/mpi-291.html
www.parkaero.com/dys-4mm-prop-saver-1013-p.asp

[mybad]

Jul 10, 2011 16:39:10 GMT 1 flydiver said:

I did use a prop saver on mine.

The prop bands don't break---the prop merely dislodges off it's 'precarious' setting. Mine WOULD dislodge in the air on aggressive maneuvers before I started using double bands.

THAT must have made some interesting flying!

[flydiver]

Actually not. It made a terrible racket whacking on the cowl. I'd immediately shut down throttle and dead stick in.
I think I'm the only Cub flier in existence that has never broken a cowl.

[killioughtta]

www.maydayrc.com/stuff-you-should-love-prop-savers

[flydiver]

Good post but it doesn't address several issues:

!. That's a 60W motor he's using for demo. Things get dicey after 100W.
2. APC props NEED a prop ring (the little rings that come with them) to fit properly. Not addressed in the video.
3. Single O-ring used. For power used beyond 100W suggest more 'holding power'. O-rings are compression devices and not so hot for this application. Latex bands are MUCH better. Unfortunately you have to make them yourself-few sources to buy. Not hard but one more issue.
4. Fit is mentioned but not fully addresses. There can be NO slop in a higher power system.

Suggest you read in this thread also:
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1419378