what ! how! and is it easy to sharpen and balance your own props ?

[MAXAMUS]

I have decided to take the plunge and try to learn how to balance and sharpen my own props .

i have a balancer on order i have the precision craft files now iam needing the help of others !!

1.
Ive seen various videos etc on how to balance a prop but should i just wade into the deep end and start with a fresh prop or take it easy and start with a plastic or carbon prop for practice ? or even any old metal prop

2.
what equipment do you need to finish a prop ? fine wet and dry paper or is there a special finishing compound to use iam aware that polishing is not necessary

3.
please post any links on further reading or tips


thanks in advance

[Jeff Wohlt]

I think Steve has this on his site as well but here is mine that Andy did years ago.

http://www.geocities.com/jwohlt5362/Propguide1.html

[egneg]

I have a 1" belt sander with 120 grit that I use for the initial thinning and sharpening, various needle and rifler files, various grits of wet/dry paper starting at 220 up to 1500 (usually stop at 600 unless a high polished finish is wanted). It does take some practice and a light touch on the belt sander for good results. Then there are different mods that can be done to the trailing edge as well. If you are going to cup or mod the pitch you will need modified pliers and/or doming balls, pitch gauge, and dial calipers are handy to have as well. Not all of this is needed but makes the job easier and quicker. The best advice I can give you is to do some research and learn as much as you can as there are many different methods and theories on the subject. RCU has a great thread on props in the general discussion section that covers a lot of ground and provides many links as well.

[kookie_guy]

I just did my first one last nite. Not overly difficult, as long as you take your time. I didn't do any special modifying to it, just a simple balance and sharpen. It's very well balanced, and will slice your fingers open if not careful. Now after asking on here (in building section) I just gotta polish the front of it.

All in all, not too difficult, just take your time.

[egneg]

I just did my first one last nite. Not overly difficult, as long as you take your time. I didn't do any special modifying to it, just a simple balance and sharpen. It's very well balanced, and will slice your fingers open if not careful. Now after asking on here (in building section) I just gotta polish the front of it.

All in all, not too difficult, just take your time.

A little blood is how I sign the props that I do!

[RayR]

If no blood is spilled, it is not sharp enough!

All the best,

Ray

[AndyKunz]

If you're using a belt sander you better have a mask over your mouth and nose!!! Beryllium isn't good for you (in a major way).

Andy

[MAXAMUS]

thanks guys

that has given me the confidence to crack on and master the art, can't wait to get cracking. I don't intend to mod any props just now but to just to balance sharpen and finish them will be my goal......

will try and keep you posted hopefully with some pics and bring on first blood lol

[egneg]

If you're using a belt sander you better have a mask over your mouth and nose!!! Beryllium isn't good for you (in a major way).

Andy

I do wear a mask and should have mentioned that. Thanks for bringing it up.

[Darin Jordan]

I posted this in another section here on OSE. It may proove to be useful for those just getting started prep'ing props...

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/for...7170#post87170

[kookie_guy]

I wear my noish respirator, lol. I don't wanna risk breathing the stuff.

[MAXAMUS]

can some of you guys post some good quality pic of detonged and sharpened x642 props so i can look and compare with what i have done so i can see comparisons

[Darin Jordan]

I don't have any pictures of an X642, but here are a few others I've done...

The first pair of pictures show (from L to R):

X645, cut down to 41.44mm, detounged, cupped up, spooned blades... rounded at the tips... This prop was a damaged prop that I just went nuts on, and it turns out to be close to the perfect prop for my ProBoat Powered P-Spec OPC Tunnel...

X450/3... Detounged, backcut slightly, cupped up slightly. This is a VERY fast heat-racing prop on my 32" WildThing P-Mono w/ Neu 1521 1.5D, 4S2P, Hydra 240.

The last three pictures show an X537/3 that has been very detounged, backcut, barr-cut, and cupped up slightly... The last pictures shows what the raw prop looks like.

This prop was used on my 25.5" Delta Force N2-Mono, w/ New 1515 0.5Y on 2S2P and Hydra 240 ESC...

Keep in mind that much of this work is NOT being done to make the boat "faster"... it may be being done to correct handling conditions, make the boat less flighty, keep it from chine-walking or torque rolling, etc...

The end result is, however, a faster boat out on the course...

[Darin Jordan]

Here are what the X645 and X450/3 looked like in stock form (stole your pics, Steven... )

[MAXAMUS]

Darin

nice job thanks for the pics how do you get such a high sheen on your props is it not more of an advantage to have a Matt finish on the leading face ??