AliExpress

26 July 2024

Try not to buy and try to improvise?

Propeller can be made. Paperclip may not be strong, and a whole host of issues.

It may not be perfect but it will suffice; perfection is not my game.

25 July 2024

Haoye 6" propellers for rubber motor at AliExpress

Haoye's smallest is 6" and comes in 3 colours: Orange, Silver-Grey and Black. 

The hub has a free-wheel ramp and the shaft diameter is 1.5mm. (meaning anything like 1.2mm diameter shaft would be great?) Weight of the propeller is around 2.5grams. Costs: 10 pcs is SGD 3.08, shipping at SGD 2.70.

I think it is a great buy. Saves a lot of effort and it would be much more durable and consider that every model need some form of nose-weight anyway if you think the propeller is "too" heavy.

Gemini said it's good for 12"-18" model.

Further finds in AliExpress

Rubber Band Powered Airplane Winder Rubber Band Model Airplane Winder Cable Winder Competition Tool Belt Automatic Counting

SGD 16.92, shipping at SGD 13.53

10 Meters Power Rubber Band 1x2mm 1x3mm Elastic Band Parts for School DIY RC Airplane Model Training RC Fixed Wing Aircraft

10m 1x2mm at SGD 17.46, free shipping

All-in: SGD 3.08+2.70+16.92+13.53+17.46 = SGD 53.69

Just the prop and rubber: SGD 3.08+2.70+17.46 = SGD 23.24

Just the prop: SGD 3.08+2.70 = SGD 5.78

Start experimenting with making models that uses the propellers. Then see if office rubber bands work. Then change the rubber to see if it is better. Then buy a winder and see if it is better.

Gemini seems to agree:

Recommendations:

• Start with just the propeller (or propeller & rubber bands if you're unsure about office bands).
• Experiment with building models that use the propeller.
• See if office rubber bands work for propulsion.
• If office bands aren't effective, try the different sizes you bought to see if there's an improvement.
• Only then consider buying the winder if manual winding becomes a hassle.

This way, you can gradually invest in your rubber band powered airplane project and see what works best before spending a lot on a winder.

Could also look for other things at AliExpress. Plywood, tubings, RC gear, glue, ptfe sheets to make bearings, air compressor?