In article <XnsA6EA65B0D60ACHortenzyFortensnort@216.166.97.131>, Andrew Chaplin
says...
>
>Mitchell Holman <noemail@verizont.net> wrote in
>news:XnsA6EA57E59403Anoemailattnet@216.166.97.131:
>
>> Miloch <Miloch_member@newsguy.com> wrote in
>> news:o3pohc0dnv@drn.newsguy.com:
>>
>> Hand crafted wooden props. A lost art...........
>
>To be sure, but I wonder if they could be reproduced using high-quality
>laminated wood and computer-controlled industrial router.
The most amazing one is the original by Orville and Wilbur.
http://www.wright-brothers.org/Information_Desk/Just_the_Facts/Engines_&_Props/1903_Props.htm
"The new props were made from three laminated (glued face-to-face) spruce
boards. They were the same length at the first test prop, but wider at the tip
-- 8 inches (20.3 cm). Will had also adjusted the pitch. The brothers had no
opportunity to test the props at this time -- they were consumed by other
problems. But they were confident of their work. When the brothers finally did
get a chance to test these propellers on the fully assembled Flyer at Kitty
Hawk, they found they produced a combined thrust of between 120 and 130 pounds
at 330 rpm. They were also remarkably efficient, converting 66 percent of the
mechanical energy from the motor into thrust."
http://www.wright-brothers.org/Information_Desk/Just_the_Facts/Engines_&_Props/Wright_Engines_&_Props.htm
"Wright propellers evolved through several designs from 1904 to 1905. The end
result was the distinctive "bent-end" propeller that revolved between 400 and
500 rpm and was 78% efficient. By comparison, modern propellers are 82-83%
efficient.
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78% vs todays 82 - 83% using the technology seen on "The Woodwright's Shop" puts
my birdhouse construction to shame!
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