Experience of Turning Point props? Prop failures?

[Onegazza]

So, I was looking to see if anyone can share some experience of Turning Point propellers. I notice they're not really available in the UK anymore.

The reason I ask is because I've had 2 propellers fail in 2 years - both times a blade has broken clean off. The first time I thought I'd hit something but, now I've had a 2nd prop fail, I'm not so sure and am now wondering if there's a manufacturing defect with these props.

The first prop had very clear pitting in the break, which looked to me like there were air bubbles in the aluminium cast, creating a weak point. I haven't looked at this second prop in detail yet but Hmmmm, I am suspicious.

 

[dingbat]

The first prop had very clear pitting in the break, which looked to me like there were air bubbles in the aluminium cast, creating a weak point.

Not saying it’s not a casting flaw but cavitation (prop burn) manifests, looks like air bubbles as well.

 

[Onegazza]

Not saying it’s not a casting flaw but cavitation (prop burn) manifests, looks like air bubbles as well.

Yes, no cavitation to the blade. The air bubbles were in the casting where the blade broke off. There was no visible cavitation damage or pitting on either prop.

 

[Texasmark]

Turning Point prides themselves in their casting process. They show you the difference in the results of their process and regular run of the mill alum prop casting techniques. They talk about how their material won't bend under thrust loading like regular alum. is said to...I never watched it bend......

I have/have had half a dozen TP "Hustler" aluminum props over the years, have 3 currently in the 13"+ diameter range, of different pitches, 4 blade running off and on with a 115 hp Merc....previous were also 13 and on a 90 Merc. I never saw a flaw in a blade of theirs.....quite the opposite...very professional workmanship. One thing I will say is that the higher the tensile strength of a metal, the more readily it will snap rather than bend....taking a Grade 2 vs Grade 8 bolt as an example, like used in a Power Take Off (PTO) shaft between a tractor and an implement like a Bush Hog rotary mower......using the Grade 2 bolt for the shearing device (protecting the drive train), if the blade of the mower hits an obstruction, will take the blow up to a point and then the material just starts bending and finally pulls apart with visible signs of how it slowly yielded to the stress.

Put the Grade 8 in the same application and you have to hit it a lot harder due to it's increased strength but when it yields, it's a clean snap. Applying that to alum. props of the types discussed here, the OEM prop bends when you whack something....I used to tear them up (bent blades) every time I went out with my new Johnson 125 back in 1972, but when I replaced with a Stainless Steel prop (obviously a much higher tensile strength) never had another prop related problem, and surely no bent blades.

 

[Chris1956]

I use them in 3 blade on my light fast speedboat (23P 16 foot 135HP Merc), and in 17P 4 blade on my heavy 21 footer, 150HP Johnny. I have never had an issue.

 

[Faztbullet]

Just likely a bad casting ...had 2 Hoss Triton fling a blade from porous casting(@$850 ea) last 2 were x-rayed before use and sent for lab work. Sucks when you get over$1K in a prop.

 

[Jimwhall]

bought and ran one last year. good prop and amazing customer service