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Author Topic:   Propeller Rework

weekendwarrior posted 12-18-2002 04:35 PM ET (US)
I have an aluminum prop which is still in decent condition but is not perfect and I have a question about having it trued up by a prop shop. It's a Honda prop and I really like the design, very versatile. If I give this to a prop shop, are they going to make it identical to the original prop, or will it be close (same pitch) but not exactly the same bend through the blades as the original? I'm concerned that it won't perform exactly as a stock Honda prop when I get it back.

Dick posted 12-18-2002 06:23 PM ET (US)
In my experience a prop will perform as good or better than original when it comes back from a quality prop shop.
jimh posted 12-18-2002 08:40 PM ET (US)
This is a good question!
From what I have read (as I have never actually been to a prop shop) the prop shop repair involves the use of a form or gauge known as a pitch block. The damaged propeller is hammered into the shape of the pitch block.
If you have an exotic propeller whose blade shape is designed with varying or progressive pitch, it might be difficult for the prop shop to duplicate it precisely.
I'd ask the prop shop about it. I can't imagine that they'd have a unique pitch block for every propeller design on the market.
Bigshot posted 12-19-2002 08:54 AM ET (US)
I have had many props redone and my mechanic friend does a few a week. They all come back looking factory fresh(at least from Hill or General)and I nor anyone else has ever complained. The cool thing is they sandblast the alum props before repair then repaint. you can tell them to leave it bare and then polish it or just leave it alum color. I hate when the paint wears off the blades in like 3 seconds....leaving it bare is cool. They also polish your polished SS prop so it comes back real sweet. If your SS prop is NOT polished they MAY be able to depending on the kind of Stainless.
super7 posted 12-19-2002 10:13 AM ET (US)
If its a good shop you will not be able to tell the difference. While its there..are you getting everything out of your prop/engine? Are your rpms good,high or low? Now would be a good time to think about it. They can't normally change pitch much but its been done, also they can add or subtract cupping and change diameter. I've seen props go through the local shop and the before and after is very impressive. If they add metal to a blade when realy its been realy whacked then polished you can't tell which blade was done. .02
Tony
Bigshot posted 12-19-2002 11:22 AM ET (US)
Most shops can add or subtract up to 2" of pitch.
Seabrook posted 12-19-2002 02:13 PM ET (US)
Not sure what it costs to get an aluminum prop rebuilt, but my suggestion would be not to do it. Any money spent now on the aluminum prop could be better spent down the road on buying a stainless one. All it takes is one stump, rock, oyster reef, etc. and that prop could be history. You can usually find good used SS props for around $150. Spend the money on SS and it will serve you for years. However, if you just can't bring yourself to spend the money now on even a used stainless, then clean up your aluminum prop yourself if it is not too bad. If there are only a few nicks and odd bends at the very edge of the prop, you would be surprised what you can do with a small adjustable wrench and a file.
My .02
Bigshot posted 12-19-2002 02:17 PM ET (US)
E-Bay is your best bet on used props unless you find one here. For a Honda...try E-Bay and keep looking weekly. To just touch up an alum prop is about $20. To rebuild blades, etc is about $40-50. To rehub is an additional $40-50....so yes, do as Seabrook says, get a SS prop.

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Author	Topic: Propeller Rework
weekendwarrior	posted 12-18-2002 04:35 PM ET (US) I have an aluminum prop which is still in decent condition but is not perfect and I have a question about having it trued up by a prop shop. It's a Honda prop and I really like the design, very versatile. If I give this to a prop shop, are they going to make it identical to the original prop, or will it be close (same pitch) but not exactly the same bend through the blades as the original? I'm concerned that it won't perform exactly as a stock Honda prop when I get it back.
Dick	posted 12-18-2002 06:23 PM ET (US) In my experience a prop will perform as good or better than original when it comes back from a quality prop shop.
jimh	posted 12-18-2002 08:40 PM ET (US) This is a good question! From what I have read (as I have never actually been to a prop shop) the prop shop repair involves the use of a form or gauge known as a pitch block. The damaged propeller is hammered into the shape of the pitch block. If you have an exotic propeller whose blade shape is designed with varying or progressive pitch, it might be difficult for the prop shop to duplicate it precisely. I'd ask the prop shop about it. I can't imagine that they'd have a unique pitch block for every propeller design on the market.
Bigshot	posted 12-19-2002 08:54 AM ET (US) I have had many props redone and my mechanic friend does a few a week. They all come back looking factory fresh(at least from Hill or General)and I nor anyone else has ever complained. The cool thing is they sandblast the alum props before repair then repaint. you can tell them to leave it bare and then polish it or just leave it alum color. I hate when the paint wears off the blades in like 3 seconds....leaving it bare is cool. They also polish your polished SS prop so it comes back real sweet. If your SS prop is NOT polished they MAY be able to depending on the kind of Stainless.
super7	posted 12-19-2002 10:13 AM ET (US) If its a good shop you will not be able to tell the difference. While its there..are you getting everything out of your prop/engine? Are your rpms good,high or low? Now would be a good time to think about it. They can't normally change pitch much but its been done, also they can add or subtract cupping and change diameter. I've seen props go through the local shop and the before and after is very impressive. If they add metal to a blade when realy its been realy whacked then polished you can't tell which blade was done. .02 Tony
Bigshot	posted 12-19-2002 11:22 AM ET (US) Most shops can add or subtract up to 2" of pitch.
Seabrook	posted 12-19-2002 02:13 PM ET (US) Not sure what it costs to get an aluminum prop rebuilt, but my suggestion would be not to do it. Any money spent now on the aluminum prop could be better spent down the road on buying a stainless one. All it takes is one stump, rock, oyster reef, etc. and that prop could be history. You can usually find good used SS props for around $150. Spend the money on SS and it will serve you for years. However, if you just can't bring yourself to spend the money now on even a used stainless, then clean up your aluminum prop yourself if it is not too bad. If there are only a few nicks and odd bends at the very edge of the prop, you would be surprised what you can do with a small adjustable wrench and a file. My .02
Bigshot	posted 12-19-2002 02:17 PM ET (US) E-Bay is your best bet on used props unless you find one here. For a Honda...try E-Bay and keep looking weekly. To just touch up an alum prop is about $20. To rebuild blades, etc is about $40-50. To rehub is an additional $40-50....so yes, do as Seabrook says, get a SS prop.