PITCHING THE PROP - LASER STYLE

I started off by setting the pitch of one blade with the protractor supplied by Warp Drive.  Just to get something to work with, I set it to 13 deg.   From what I've read, this seemed like a good number, so why not ??  Then, built a brace (??) out of scrap lumber to let me bring each blade to the exact same spot.

Then a trip to the local Big 5 found me a backpackers' mirror.  These are a "surface reflector" type of mirror, which is what I wanted, after playing around aiming the laser at framed pictures, mirrors and the like.  A regular mirror has the reflecting surface on the BACK of the glass, and gives 2 reflections.

Now, we get to the funny part.  I found this little laser pointer at Harbor Freight  for a delivered price of around $20.00.  I've been told by others that they've found them for as low as $5.00, so look around.     This setup worked, but drove me 1/2 of the rest of the way crazy............! ! !   I strapped it to the whole tail, and the tiniest movement of the rudder threw the beam all over the place.  I think it would be much better to attach to the vertical stabilizer only, and figure out something more solid.

More headaches...........couldn't see the laser spot on the mirror.  Sighting down it like a gunsight didn't work, and I finally (??) came up with the idea of hanging a sheet of paper over the mirror.  Real hi-tech stuff, man ! ! !  Sure did work good, tho'.

And here ya have it ! ! !  Simply (??) set the other blades to throw the spot in the same place, and you're done.  Easy, huh ??   Haaaarrrrr..............just wait'll you try it.  A deep breath will bounce it all over the place.  You WILL learn the true meaning of the word "Patience," but it sure does work good.           Enjoy ! ! !

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