This paper describes a low cost, small scale spin rig. The rig is housed in a steel vacuum chamber of 203 mm (8 in) diameter and powered by a 3HP variable speed DC electric motor. The small rig was developed to test the experimental procedure and data acquisition techniques and to investigate the dynamic characteristics of a high speed rotating system. Using this rig, fan-blade-out (FBO) experiments were carried out. The notched blade releasing mechanism was investigated. The relationship between the notch depth and the release speed was modified with the consideration of the notch concentration factor. The predicted release speed agreed reasonably well with the experimental data. A simple wire trigger method for data acquisition was developed. Synchronized high speed video images and sensor signals during FBO events were obtained. The observed phenomena were similar to those reported using larger spin rigs.