Prop Finishing Advice

[SweetAccord]

ugh* forget it:

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...ighlight=props

[SweetAccord]

I use a air micro die grinder #47869 from Harbor Freight - adjustable from 0 to 56,000 rpm and mibro #6 high gloss compound from Northern Tools. IMHO better than a dremel but a 10 gal or better air compressor is required.

Got it today, tried on one prop, and the results are I'm sold, Mikey likes it!

[Jon K]

I machined a spike for... my car ... don't ask.... out of 6061 aluminum. I was going to throw it in my vibratory tumbler but figured it'd round all the corners. So, I used a polishing pad on my dremel at like 8 speed and used Mothers Aluminum Polish. I then used this to polish the part (carefully) straight from being machined - no intermediate grits of sanding or anything. Basically, right off the lathe and onto my desk to be polished!

Here are the pics


Before polish:


Post polish:



This polish has worked well on copper previously - so give it a shot! Its a small ~2.75" tub from Pep Boys.

[egneg]

Got it today, tried on one prop, and the results are I'm sold, Mikey likes it!

I liked it much better as well - glad I could help.

[SweetAccord]

The good thing is that I can balance the props much faster now. I can fine balance with a file, get really close and closer and when it's just right with the files, I can buff the file marks right off. The great part is that you don't need a high speed tool to do it either! Using a dremel that is 5,000-35,000 and not even running it full speed gets the job done easily with mirror results.

Thanks again for great recommendation egneg!

[SweetAccord]

So, I'm curious. Does or has anyone here polish the back side of the prop and have noticed any top end speed increase? I read somewhere that it was done on a prop and all else was the same and the gain was 1-2 mph more.