The rod is a tempered steel. Pretty tough. I need to solder to it, so Ti is out. Go calculate how much energy it takes to buzz 1/8" steel at 500Hz at a 1/16" amplitude and then tell me it doesn't matter! 1/8" for compatibility with the rest of the equipment (motor, prop, bushings, bearings, etc). Andy "M. Adam Davis" on 04/12/2000 04:34:38 PM Please respond to pic microcontroller discussion list To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU cc: (bcc: Andrew Kunz/TDI_NOTES) Subject: Re: [OT] INVERTE THE WAVE At that point you need a stiff metal (titanium?) which was precision made (extruded, rolled, milled, etc). The stiffer the metal, the better anyway, since you aren't losing as much energy in flexing the rod. You could add balancing mechanisms, but the added weight and cost are surely going to be more costly than starting with a precision part in the first place. BTW, why 1/8"? Why not use 1/4", or even thick-wall tube at 1/4"? Either of these will certianly reduce vibration. -Adam Andrew Kunz wrote: > > My problem is how to figure exactly how to balance a 12" rod 1/8" dia rotating > at 20K-30K RPM. > > Andy