I've caught the props on so many things. Amazingly, never broken one. Here's my $3 solution- These are foam pipe insulation tubes for 1" pipe. They have a slit down the length so you can just put it over the props. Sometime I'll find the proper length and blast the bends with a heat gun so it stays in an octogon shape. But for now this will do.
No need to take those foam pieces off before you fly, either, I bet, Arthur. Just start the motors up and give them take off power. Centrifugal force should do the rest.... Andy.
Andy, Actually, I did that once I forgot to remove one tube and started the motors... It wasn't a pretty sight, but was very funny after. The tube was cut in pieces.
This setup just cost me a little over $3.00 at my local Home Depot. And I realized that it'll make removing and installing my props far less injurious to my hands, which always seem to get cut when I'm doing that! This is 1 inch pipe insulation, which my local Home Depot sells for about $1.59 for a 6 foot length. I used two 6 foot lengths, and I have two left over.
Thanks for identifying the source as Home Depot, Steve. Now I need to know where to go to get Pool Noodles for landing gear. Target? (Sorry, now they've gone up market, "Tah-jay." Andy.