New prop concerns. Balance, blade shape.

[Jdunham]

Hello,
I recently purchased a new propeller for my 1956 evinrude 15.
I decided I wanted a spare anyway while I sort out having the old prop re-hubbed.
The old prop is the (original?) weedless 3 blade with the long swept back blades. It is stamped 9x11 on the root of one of the blades.
I ordered a new one to match it.
I have some concerns about my new prop. It was brand new, still in its box, no evidence that it is a refurb.
The bore for the bronze bushing is visibly off center in the aluminum casting. I put it on my lathe on a good piece of 5/8" stock and can see run-out at the "hub" of the blades of about .125" and variation in blade tip distance from center of almost .25". The blade tips front to back vary by almost .25" as well.
I did the same test with the old prop on its spun but still centered hub and would have had to use a dial indicator to find any run-out or blade tip variation.

The best way to see the run-out is in video. I know these links don't always work, but they are here in this shared drive folder:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=11q40DDmoFE_ADTC1Tin06R_OlIQ1aOt8

I do not have a camera stand, but the shaft run-out is less than .010". The shaft "movement" seen is simply me not holding still.

I have not put it on the motor yet. I am worried that running this prop will shake the heck out of the lower unit and destroy bearings and seals.

How should I proceed? Find a shop to look it over for me? Go ahead and run it? Try to send it back untested?

 

[jimmbo]

Send it back, with a note explaining what you found. It is faulty in workmanship. What brand is it?

 

[Jdunham]

After showing it around a bit and calling several shops, Everyone says to send it back.
None of the shops near me are set up to check balance anymore, they all ship the props out for that.
I contacted the MFG and was told, literally, "none of them know what they are talking about" and it was reiterated that the blade and hub variation was fine and I should run it. The voice in my head says this is BS on something turning at 500rpm or more.
I am pretty nervous about that, how much harm can a few minutes of unbalanced prop do to a 1956 lower unit. Just so I can say I tried it.

 

[jimmbo]

Can you post a few Pics of it?

Brand?

In 1985 I bought my first SS prop for my 84 115hp. I noticed the motor/boat seemed to be less smooth. that with the AL I told the Parts manager that i felt the prop was out of Balance. I was told I was Imagining things. A Year later, the Upper Mounts between the Motor and Swivel Bracket were loose. One evening, myself and the Shop Manager, pulled the Powehead off and found the Bolts had loosened. We re-tightened them, with a little Red LocTite added. I made some more noise about the Prop. Shop manager sent the Prop out to the rebuilder. A week later, the Parts Manager was now telling me that one Blade was heavier, and that had been corrected. Vibrations can cause problems

 

[Jdunham]

Hi Jimmbo,
I am attempting to attach images to this post. The videos of it spinning on my lathe are very telling but are too large to post here. Those and duplicate images are in the google drive folder:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11q40DDmoFE_ADTC1Tin06R_OlIQ1aOt8?usp=sharing

I am not ready to publicly post the mfg, In the event that I am totally wrong and the prop is fine or in case it hinders my return if needed. I sent you a private message.