TParker
Active Member
In an effort to make things easier where I can, I've developed a set of 3D printed files that can be used to make proxies for Hartzell hubs and blades. I think this would allow the actual bulkhead to be mocked up to the cowling and also make spinner cutouts easier. I've got hubs for the most common Hartzell props sold through Vans, and blade stubs for the 7497 and 8068, the most common blades where builders are using the kit spinner. The only critical hardware is the spinner mounting kit (spacers and washers) where you need to ensure the same dimensions between the real hardware and the stand ins or use the real spacers/washers. Otherwise, whatever hardware is handy suffices.
Here's an example installation just starting:
I've also made additional parts that could help builders complete their spinner by providing replica blades, with pitch adjustment, and location for the forward. Here's a complete mockup for one side:
Might be easier to build the spinner if you use 2x the blade parts rather than one side at a time.
The pitch adjustment keys on a curved slot with the angles predefined to match what we ship, plus some margin.
You can see this spinner cutout needs some tweaking.
After the first mockup, I made lightweight versions to use less material:
Compared to an actual prop:
Print settings are left to the user, I generally printed this in PETG with 3 or 4 walls and 15% infill. They're designed to be printed without supports, and mine were successful that way.
I've written a preliminary guide of instructions, eventually it'll end up being absorbed into Manual 193, Volume 3. The guide and files (in both STL and 3MF) are available for download here, until we find a more permanent home for them.
If you use them and run into issues, or have ideas for improvement, please let me know.
Here's an example installation just starting:
I've also made additional parts that could help builders complete their spinner by providing replica blades, with pitch adjustment, and location for the forward. Here's a complete mockup for one side:
Might be easier to build the spinner if you use 2x the blade parts rather than one side at a time.
The pitch adjustment keys on a curved slot with the angles predefined to match what we ship, plus some margin.
You can see this spinner cutout needs some tweaking.
After the first mockup, I made lightweight versions to use less material:
Compared to an actual prop:
Print settings are left to the user, I generally printed this in PETG with 3 or 4 walls and 15% infill. They're designed to be printed without supports, and mine were successful that way.
I've written a preliminary guide of instructions, eventually it'll end up being absorbed into Manual 193, Volume 3. The guide and files (in both STL and 3MF) are available for download here, until we find a more permanent home for them.
If you use them and run into issues, or have ideas for improvement, please let me know.