Reshaping/repairing a damaged prop

[Joelk]

I got into some rocks and caused some significant damage to my 15"X17P aluminum 3 blade prop. I was only at idle speed, but it created gouges that were approx. 1/4" deep to front edge of the blades in the area with the worst damage.

I have already purchased a replacement prop, but would like to keep this as a backup/spare. I think it is possible that it might possibly work better than new for some purposes if reshaped.

I put it on my belt sander and sanded away all of the damaged area. It looks pretty good, and if touched up with paint/powdercoat it might not even be apparent that it had been damaged. My concern is that I don't have the blades all identical and it may be out of balance.

Any suggestions on a cheap/easy way to get the blades nearly identical?

Thanks, Joel

 

[steelespike]

Re: Reshaping/repairing a damaged prop

A prop shop can make it like new.If it's truly for a spare it doesn't need to be perfect as long as vibration is minimul. Spare is to fill in to get back to shore and to lightly cruise while waiting for the other prop to be prepared.Extended use of damaged prop could result in damage to seals and bearings in the gearcase.My 50 Evinrude survived several years of light weekend use of a damaged prop with no damage.But is it really worth the risk and co$t you might have using a cobbled up prop.

I would be inclined to get it repaired and then you might even be able to simply swap props and when the other is repaired it becomes the spare and so on.

 

[Joelk]

Re: Reshaping/repairing a damaged prop

Thanks for the reply.

I don't doubt that a prop shop can make it like new, but how much would they charge?

I suspect that I could buy a good used prop for less than a prop shop would charge to repair it.

I tend to DIY everything. Any suggestions on how I can get the blades even so that it is properly balanced?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Reshaping/repairing a damaged prop

I put it on my belt sander and sanded away all of the damaged area. It looks pretty good, and if touched up with paint/powdercoat it might not even be apparent that it had been damaged. My concern is that I don't have the blades all identical and it may be out of balance.

Ayuh,... Get a lawn mower blade balancer at most any hardware store to balance it....

It'll be a Shaky spare, at best,...
You ground it down, there's less blade area,...

You'll be literally spinnin' yer wheel...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Reshaping/repairing a damaged prop

prop shops charge between 60 and 150 depending on damage. And they have the knowledge, experience and equipment to to it properly