Originally Posted by VaughnH

Ah, a needlewheel made with needles?

If my hands were steady enough, and if I had a Dreml tool, I would try slitting each paddle from the OD to the hub, making each one into 2 or 3 narrower paddles, staggering them first 2 then 3 paddles. But, neither condition holds, so I may decide to melt some more needle holes in them instead.

I would like to see photos of the rotor modifications being made and tested. It is an interesting subject.