Sensenich wood finish vs composite?

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Sensenich wood finish vs composite?

Postby 13brv3 » Sun Oct 18, 2015 1:25 am

Greetings,

I've just ordered a Onex kit, and I'll be using the Aerovee (maybe turbo) engine. In looking at the Sensenich prop options, I see wood finish, and composite. Unfortunately, I can't find much detail on either, even on the Sensenich page.

Does either version have a metal leading edge insert?

Is the composite finish that much better to warrant the difference in price? I figured the reason for it was to allow you to fly in the rain, but one interview I read with a Sensenich rep made it sound like the composite would just last a little longer in rain, but that it wasn't really intended to operate regularly in the rain. Of course I don't intend to operate in the rain any more than can be avoided, so I'm not sure what the composite will really do for me.

Thanks,
Rusty
Rusty
Onex- Rotax 912 (130 hours and counting)
Fixed wing, gyroplane, A&P
13brv3
 
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Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:59 am
Location: Tellico Plains, TN

Re: Sensenich wood finish vs composite?

Postby Rynoth » Sun Oct 18, 2015 8:32 am

I have the wood prop, the leading edge has a rubberized/resin fill about 1/4" deep along the outer 2/3rds of each blade. No metal to speak of on the prop. My best guess is that resin is designed to erode away and be filled/repaired before any wear reaches the actual wood.
Ryan Roth
N197RR - Waiex #197 (Turbo Aerovee Taildragger)
Knoxville, TN (Hangar at KRKW)
My project blog: http://www.rynoth.com/wordpress/waiex/
Time-lapse video of my build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8QTd2HoyAM
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Re: Sensenich wood finish vs composite?

Postby 13brv3 » Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:47 am

Now that you describe it, I do recall seeing that on other wood props. I found this in a Sensenich info, which I must of missed before.

"Propeller leading edge protection is provided by an inlaid urethane leading edge, which is cast in place on the blade with no aerodynamic penalties.
Wood construction propellers are available with fiberglass covering for added environmental and abrasion protection. This is highly recommended for rough fields and/or pusher aircraft."

I don't plan to fly in rain, and I don't plan to visit any gravel runways, though that might be hard to avoid in East TN. The state logo for TN should be crushed rock :-)

Rusty
Rusty
Onex- Rotax 912 (130 hours and counting)
Fixed wing, gyroplane, A&P
13brv3
 
Posts: 432
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:59 am
Location: Tellico Plains, TN

Re: Sensenich wood finish vs composite?

Postby Rynoth » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:54 pm

My wood Seinsenich is a beautiful prop, I love seeing the grain of the wood. It's a classic look.
Ryan Roth
N197RR - Waiex #197 (Turbo Aerovee Taildragger)
Knoxville, TN (Hangar at KRKW)
My project blog: http://www.rynoth.com/wordpress/waiex/
Time-lapse video of my build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8QTd2HoyAM
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Posts: 1308
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2013 1:32 pm
Location: Knoxville, TN

Re: Sensenich wood finish vs composite?

Postby 13brv3 » Fri Oct 23, 2015 2:41 pm

Rynoth wrote:My wood Seinsenich is a beautiful prop, I love seeing the grain of the wood. It's a classic look.


After some debate, I also ordered wood instead of glass. I like the look, and I think it will be plenty durable, not to mention cheaper.

Thanks,
Rusty
Rusty
Onex- Rotax 912 (130 hours and counting)
Fixed wing, gyroplane, A&P
13brv3
 
Posts: 432
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 11:59 am
Location: Tellico Plains, TN


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