How do you change props without losing a digit?

[fweasel]

Admittedly a newcomer to FE, so throw me a bone. How are people holding the prop shaft and or prop in place when tightening or loosening the prop lock nut? The set screws in the drive dog don't seem to offer enough torque, holding the motor coupler seems like a bad idea, and I can barely hold the stock prop with my fingers without causing damage to myself so I can only imagine a sharpened prop makes that method even more dangerous.

I'm guessing there's something easy that I'm missing. Ideas?

[785boats]

Just throw a thick rag over the prop & hold it. Just make sure that it is engaged on the drive dog while tightening or loosening the nut.
As you are a newcomer, I will add this.
Make sure the batteries are disconnected first. If for some reason the motor does fire up you could lose more than one digit.

[boredom.is.me]

I hold the motor side of the coupler. ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES!!!

[ray schrauwen]

Leather chamois or 1/16" rubber mat I have.

[dasboata]

I hold the motor side of the coupler. ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES!!!

Sorry not a good idea,,, you can screw up the flex shaft,, doing it this way,, the only way is with a rag or a glove !!

[T.S.Davis]

If the nut is super snug I'll grab the drive dog with small pair of channel locks. Most of the time though I can grip the prop in such a way that I don't shred myself to bits. Cut myself really bad that way before. It's not the smartest thing to do. A rag is the easiest safest I would think.

[photohoward1]

Gloves?


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[dasboata]

Gloves?


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Yes leather gloves

[T.S.Davis]

Even just those cheesy work gloves from the Depot would be better than what most of us do. I'm going to throw those in my box when I get home. Thanks for being smarter than me guys.

[boredom.is.me]

Sorry not a good idea,,, you can screw up the flex shaft,, doing it this way,, the only way is with a rag or a glove !!

Ok then my question is, how tight do you guys set the nut? I only have my tight enough to prevent the prop from wobbling. The shaft doesn't even twist when I release. This is using the prevailing torque (all metal) lock nuts.

[T.S.Davis]

The tension on the nuts vary. I have some I can spin down with almost no effort but some are so tight I can barely turn them even with the channel locks on the drive dog. They're pretty inconsistent.

[Doby]

Get someone else to change the prop for you!

[fweasel]

Leather chamois or 1/16" rubber mat I have.

Thanks Yoda!

I think a pair of cheap mechanics gloves are the next addition to the boat tool box. I appreciate the input fellas.

[dasboata]

its a lot how you hold the prop,,, with much care and common sense,,,( I know whats that anymore ? ) a paper towel will work !!

[ray schrauwen]

The tension on the nuts vary.

Depending on the lane you hold going into the first turn.

[boredom.is.me]

^

I guess I got lucky. I've been using the same two nuts for well over a year.

[dasboata]

If the nut is super snug I'll grab the drive dog with small pair of channel locks. Most of the time though I can grip the prop in such a way that I don't shred myself to bits. Cut myself really bad that way before. It's not the smartest thing to do. A rag is the easiest safest I would think.

Channel locks,,, what no vise grips LOL

[T.S.Davis]

Hahaha. Yeah. Its hard on the drive dog. That's I switched to a beaver to hold the drive dog.

[DBJr]

I would usually use a sock but after recently cutting 2 of my fingers on my Octura M440, I realized I need something more substantial. I had removed it from the boat to re-polish it like I do every few runs.

Other than possible oxidation, is there any other reason why a nice, bright shiny prop turns a dull brownish color after just a few runs???

I didn't quite realize I had gotten it that sharp. Went right through the sock and got me. Thankfully both cuts are nearly healed, Neosporin works wonders.

[martin]

Are you running on salt water or fresh water.

[DBJr]

Are you running on salt water or fresh water.

Fresh water.

I would never run in salt water after seeing pics of damage caused by the salt.