Top Flite Q5700 INSTRUCTION BOOK
INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the Top Flite
PRECISION MAGNETIC BALANCER. We think
you’ll agree that this ingenious design, which
uses powerful magnets to support the balancer
shaft, is the simplest, easiest-to-use and most
friction-free balancer available. The compact,
rugged case halves press together to provide a
convenient carrying case for the balancer parts.
Originally designed by Mark McCormack
IMPORTANT: Please read through this
booklet in its entirety before attempting
to assemble or use the balancer.
Use the Top Flite PRECISION MAGNETIC BALANCER to balance all spinning
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components of your models (propellers, spinners, rotors, and even wheels!).
Accurately balancing these components will provide noticeably smoother, quieter
operation and will help extend the life of your models, radio gear and engines.
This balancer is capable of suspending objects up to a maximum weight of
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approximately 5.5 ounces (156 grams). For example, this permits balancing up
to a 24x16 wood propeller. Your balancer may have slightly greater or less
capacity, depending on the strength of the magnets which varies slightly.
This booklet also explains how you can use your Top Flite PRECISION
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MAGNETIC BALANCER as a wind speed indicator!
CAUTION - STRONG MAGNETS:
1. When removing the magnets from the carton and when handling the magnets,
use care to prevent them from snapping against each other. The ceramic magnet
material is brittle and a hard impact can result in chipping or breaking.
2. If not handled properly, the powerful magnets in this balancer may cause
temporary or permanent damage to TV SCREENS, COMPUTER MONITORS, VIDEO
TAPES, AUDIO TAPES, FLOPPY DISKS, TAPE STORAGE MEDIA, etc. To avoid
damage, keep the magnets at least 24 inches (600mm) away from components that
are sensitive to magnetic fields.
ASSEMBLY
❑ 1.
Carefully remove the magnets from
the carton (see CAUTIONS on page 1).
Note how the magnets have a strong
attraction for one another. Note also how
they repel one another if one of the magnets
is turned end-for-end. When installed in the
magnet tubes, the magnets must be
positioned so they attract, not repel. Place
the magnets on your workbench with the
attracting ends pointing up. Separate the
magnets at least 12", so they won’t
accidentally snap together.
NOTE: To make the balancer as
friction-free as possible, it is very
important to provide smooth magnet
faces on which the balancer shaft
ends will spin. There are two ways of
doing this: 1) Glue the supplied clear
plastic disks to the magnet faces; or,
2) Polish the magnet faces to a
smooth and high gloss finish using
#400 and #600-grit wet-or-dry
sandpaper, followed by a rubbing/
polishing compound. Method #1 is
quick and easy and is described in
the following steps. Method #2 results
in a more scratch-resistant and
friction-free surface, but it requires
more work. The choice is yours which
method to use.
❑ 2. Remove all oil and foreign
particles from the exposed magnet
ends by wiping with a tissue dampened
with rubbing alcohol.
❑ 3. Glue one of the clear plastic
disks to each of the exposed magnet
ends by applying one drop of thick or
medium CA glue to the magnet. Center
the clear disk over the magnet and
press the disk down firmly until the CA
has spread evenly between the magnet
and the disk. Epoxy may be used
instead of CA, if you prefer. Wipe off all
excess glue before it cures, wiping
downward to avoid getting any glue on
the face of the disk. The disk will protect
the magnets and provide a smoother
bearing surface for the balancer shaft.
❑ 4. After the adhesive cures, place
the magnets into the magnet holder
tubes in the plastic balancer cases.
When installed in the magnet tubes,
the magnets must be positioned so
they attract, not repel. Secure each of
the magnets in the magnet tubes with
a thumb screw. Do not over-tighten
the screws, as this can deform the
plastic and put the magnets out of
alignment. Slight screw pressure is all
that is required. NOTE: The 6-32
threads will self-tap into the plastic, but
you may cut threads with a 6-32 tap,
making the thumb screw easier to
adjust with your fingertips.
❑ 5. Push and twist the two long base
rods into the sockets in one of the case
halves. Assemble the second case
half to the other ends of the base rods.
Press firmly to seat the rods. Stand the
assembly up as shown.
shaft between the two magnets. The
balancer shaft will touch one magnet
and the other end will be suspended in
the magnetic field. For the lowest
possible friction, adjust the magnets
by loosening the thumb screws and
sliding the magnets in or out until the
gap is very small (approximately 1/32"
[0.8mm]) at the shaft end. Secure the
magnets in this position with the thumb
screws. NOTE: The smaller gap
provides lower friction and greater loadcarrying capability.
HOW TO USE YOUR TOP FLITE
PRECISION MAGNETIC BALANCER
The general principle of balancing is
to determine the “heavy side” of an
object and then to either remove
material from the heavy side, or add
weight to the light side (see safety
precautions below). Because the
Top Flite PRECISION MAGNETIC
BALANCER is so nearly frictionless,
you’ll wait a long time for a propeller
to stop swinging; therefore, you
should help the object to nearly stop
by applying light friction to the
balancer shaft with your finger. An
object is perfectly balanced if it can
be stopped and will remain stationary
in any position.
CAUTION: Do not allow the balancer
rod ends to snap hard against the
magnets, as this will damage the rod
ends or the plastic discs.
❑ 6. Slide the balancing cones onto
the balancer shaft. Place the balancer
How to balance SMALL AND MEDIUM
SIZE PROPELLERS: Slide the cones
onto the balancer shaft with the tapered
ends facing each other, trapping the
propeller between the cones. The object
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