fastest way to thin props...

[jasontodd]

hi , i have always thinned my props , with a small file , and three weeks work ... tsk.

after getting rid of most of my props a while ago (dumb) , i am looking at preparing some new props ,thought i would ask the members here, how do you do it ? the thought of preparing many props for a new campaign, it just a chore.
what is the fastest way , and what equipment do you use to thin props fast

many thanks
look forward to reply's
Jason

[JimClark]

fine grinding wheels for dremils

[kevinpratt823]

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...Harbor-Frieght

This with a vaccum hooked up to the side, and I think I have 320 grit belts, comes with a very coarse 80 grit that will eat through too quick.

[goldfinger]

1 in belt sander .

Have a mandrel to hold the prop to give you better control of it when contacting the paper.

Files , sandpaper ( 320 and finer wet/dry is preferred )

And of course a marker and prop balancer.

[Shooter]

I have a prop holder from Jim @ south river. Works well. I've found a large, coarse file takes most of the material off in just a few minutes, controllably! Then a fine file to remove the coarse grooves. Then sand paper from then on out. Still takes me about an hour (I thought this was good???) for a 'decent' prop.

[properchopper]

When held in a vise (with rubber jaws) this works great for props , and wielded by hand can get inside a hull and remove anything you want (except smells)

DSC04641.JPG

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-hal...der-92158.html

[Shooter]

I'll be damned. That looks like my buffing set-up.

IMAG0275.jpg

[Heaving Earth]

I find hand files are fast and just fine for octura, but those damn grim props are just so hard, I find myself with dremel...

[jasontodd]

thanks for the replys guys . some excellent links and information , keep it coming ,
thankyou
Jason

[driftah]

I use a heavy duty cut off wheel on a dremel on its side...takes a few passes but only a few minutes,Then I switch to a medium file to smooth it out,fine file then sandpaper in the 1000-1500 grit area takes a few hrs to do a prop correctly including balance in between steps.I did a x447/3 last week to try on my df29 and it hauls major butt wow.I only do prop work when im bored lmao

[ray schrauwen]

What colour are they Jim, what ones do you use??

fine grinding wheels for dremils

[ray schrauwen]

Thats cool Pete, thanks for the pic!!

I'll be damned. That looks like my buffing set-up.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]102755[/ATTACH]

[Savage Skidoo]

I got this up from N.C. in 30 hrs , thanks Rob , i gotta say making small time on props Now ....Love it . image_20963.jpgIMGA0983.jpgIMGA0982.jpg

[Cooper]

Looks good, I use a 1x30" belt sander (like above from harborfreight) hate it when I end up sanding some of the hub!! I will look into one of those, anything to make life easier!!!

[Savage Skidoo]

Looks good, I use a 1x30" belt sander (like above from harborfreight) hate it when I end up sanding some of the hub!! I will look into one of those, anything to make life easier!!!

Hey Cooper , 1/2" is all you need trust me . I cut down 3 props for a customer in no time , still all in balance . Either i'm freaking lucky or getting really good :) . BTW when i went on HF's web site they don't ship to Canada . I call my Buddy who's a Long haul driver who's in North Carolina he picked one up and spare belts for $50 USA = look out prop world !