I'm new here and my name is Joe, I've been lurking and learning here for a while. I've been at this whole RC helicopter thing for over 8 years and drones for the last 4 years.
I used to film and photograph with a Raptor 90 single rotor helicopter (converted to electric) with NO GPS or self leveling gyro. I also converted it to FBL but that's it and my FPV monitor was early days composite video. Man have things come a LONG way since those days eh! :-D
OK, After much research and extensive testing, I've discovered that the hub and locking tabs are balanced with the motors (not the props).
The only way I've found to truly balance the 1345T props is to do the mirror and laser pointer method. There's a Youtube link to this method lower in this post.
Procedure as I do it:
1st, You have to remove all props except for the prop that you are balancing at the moment (It's best to number or place a small color coded paint dot in the center of the props to insure the prop goes back onto the same motor each time).
2nd, VERY IMPORTANT! Bolt a couple of metal cleats to a workbench (don't use a light piece of wood, it has be heavy enough to prevent the I1 from lifting it in the air during spool up), then use strong straps to strap the arm to the cleats that are bolted to the table.
Do NOT try to have a friend hold it down, it's too dangerous! Your helper could get cut!
3rd, Drill a hole in the CD or DVD square so you can use the screw on the arm where the CF tube meets the motor/ESC housing. (as an alternative, you can use double sided sticky tape on the back of the CD or DVD to fasten it to the flat plate on the motor/ESC housing)
4th, Set up a laser pointer a few feet away that will point to the CD or DVD, the CD or DVD acts as a mirror.
5th, Start the motors and speed the motors up to take off speed.
6th, Find the reflection of the laser pointer on the wall.
If the laser dot on the wall is not moving up and down (creating a vertical line, a slight amount about the width of the dot itself is acceptable), consider that the prop is balanced in this case.
If it is moving up and down, add small amounts of black self adhesive monocote until the dot remains a dot on the wall (put the monocote strip on the leading edge of the prop with half of it under the prop and the other half on the top and make sure it's smooth with no rough edges).
Tip: place it on loosely at first, then after it's balanced, press it down firmly. (In as much as 200 flights, I've never had a piece of it come off during flight and is even difficult to remove it on purpose after it's pressed on hard. The best way to remove it s with a hair dryer to soften the adhesive, try not to get it hot enough to distort the prop though).
Note 1: The dot will be stable only at certain rpms. The trick is to get it to be as stable as possible overall. Different speeds cause the props and motor to vibrate as it reaches it's own self resonant frequency (it's the nature of physics, everything has a self resonant frequency which will vibrate at a minimum no matter what you do, you CAN"T get it PERFECT at all speeds).
Note 2: Do not use electrical tape as it WILL be slung off of the prop sooner or later!! (probably during the first spool up)
Note 3: CDs and DVDs have 2 reflective surfaces so you will see 2 reflections but they are very close together. There is a reflective plane about an 18 of an inch below the surface and another on the actual surface (the top surface is a protective surface to protect the part where the data is burned onto)
This is the way I have been balancing the props on my DJI S800 EVO and my DJI S1000 for the last 4 years, well.........I've only had the S1000 for a little over a year but this method has always worked great for me!
This method takes a while to do but it's worth it IMHO. I've had to use a strip on one side just to determine which side it needs to be on to balance it. Once you determine that, it's just a matter of how big the strip needs to be. Tip, you can use a very small piece of duct tape to determine which side you need to add weight to. Duct tape is much stickier than electrical tape but takes little effort to clean the residue off of the prop.
IMPORTANT: Do NOT use Goof Off to clean the adhesive residue off of your props, it WILL melt the prop!! I found that out the hard way :-(
Use a paper towel soaked with alcohol, don't pour alcohol on the prop itself.
Also, try to refrain from adding the strip at the end of the prop, add it to the section that is at the widest part of the prop and again, always the leading edge.
CAUTION: DO NOT put your hands too close to the prop or you will likely get hurt!!
Tip: You can use your smartphone with a vibration app that can help with visual vibrations but keep in mind that you will see what appears to be abnormally high vibrations as these apps are very sensitive.
The best place to put your phone with the app running is on the gimbal plate where the camera is mounted
I just used this method on my Inspire Pro and it's smooth as silk now. Side note: EVERY prop was out of balance including the 4 spare props that came with it!!
Here's a link to a Youtube video of how to do this procedure>>>>>>>
I hope this helps those who are having trouble figuring out the best way to balance these odd shaped props. It seems to be the ONLY true way since there is no center hole like most old school props.
Just be careful, make sure it's secured to a heavy table or workbench, these things have more lift than ya may think. I was surprised at how much lifting power it has when compared to my S800 Evo or S1000.
Best of luck to all and please fly and film safe!!
Nice to meet you!!
Joe