can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

[zuke1]

here is a pic of my prop, i had posted it before, and someone said i should have it reworked, but it was posted in a section where i was asking questions about electronics, so i didnt want to go off topic...

so here it is, does it look like i can just file it down a little? as it is it still works very well, with no noticeable vibration. i am wondering if a little filing will throw the balance to far out of wack? or if it would not hurt. i got the idea from a B.A.S.S. article that had a "pro" telling how he files down certain parts of his props to get a few extra mph out of em', i dont want the extra mph's, i just want to make sure the few dings dont affect my overall / long-term performance of the motor.

oh, and if it matters, my boat is a 16' 88 cajun demon, with a 60hp johnson vro elec trim i think its a 13" prop... but ill double check , if someone needs to know...

thanks for the help
zuke

 

[Silvertip]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

What would you file? You would need to take approximately 1/2 inch off the blade with the two dings in it and you would be filing for a long while. Even using a grinder, you would create an inefficient prop that is out of balance. Props for that motor are very inexpensive. Get a new one and keep this one for a spare. It could be rebuilt but why not have a new prop for very little more money.

 

[WTPhantom309]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

That looks just like my spare prop. my main prop wasnt near that bad but it was a bit rough so i filed it a bit and slapped some paint on it

 

[Texasmark]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

I wouldn't file it.

Mark

 

[jddenham]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

I would file off the sharp points/edges(less than one mm)

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

Yes you can file it, but what that would do to the prop's balance is another story ( ever driven a out of balance tire on your car) Id wait for Walleyehed or the likes for a more definitive answer, Ive been wrong on stranger things than this.............

 

[zuke1]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

silver tip asked "what would i file?"

well i dont want to make the prop look good, i just thought i could kind of file down the rough edges that the chips make, and the flat spot thats at the bottom of the blades...

i dont know if it will make a difference though, will it?

so i would just be "de-burring" the prop in a sense.

my reasoning for doing this is that it costs about 65$ to fix a prop at the local shop, and only around 90$for a new prop, so i figured i could make this one work for a little while longer, and use that money to do the cold season check up at the shop...

what do you think?

let me know, cuz unless im swayed otherwise, i will probably be "smoothing" out the edges this week...

thanks for all the help..
zuke

 

[Crownie2]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

I don't think smoothing out the edges would be any worse than it's condition now...

I've done it before on minor damage.

 

[zuke1]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

would it help though?

 

[steelespike]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

Yes you could clean it up but what will running an uneven out of balance prop do to the gearcase.
You could end up with a repair that costs a lot more than $65.I say get the prop done after you see what the performance is like fine tune the motor trim and height.
After a while if you want to upgrade props
Give the prop forum the details of the performance and see what they reccomend. Make the prop the spare and upgrade for the best performance.

 

[Crownie2]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

Well, I do agree that you are going to need a new prop - at least that is what I would do.

I agree with Spike...

 

[zuke1]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

well, i hope you are all happy now......

i finally went and got a new prop.. the guy at the boat shop said that this one is only a little different than the one i already have... i took out the gps and i now get about 3-4 mph faster, and my hole shot is about 2 seconds quicker ( for me thats 0 - 30 in 8 sec's, up from 10sec's)

take a look

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

The important thing is whether YOU are happy...

 

[turbodriven]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

You have chosen........

.... wisely!

 

[Crownie2]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

Yes! We are happy!!

Hope you are too!

 

[zuke1]

Re: can i file it, or is it good, or do i need a new one???

oh yeah, im happy, how could i not be? with greater speed and faster hole shot, who could complain?

the wife on the other hand, thats a different story..lol...

thanks