Folding Prop Refurbishment

[Mark Taylor]

I have a two blade folding prop which has quite a lot of wear in the pivot points, such that there is about 3/16" - 1/4" play at the ends of the blades when it is opened up. I am assuming it should be a lot less movement than this!!

Do any on the forum have any recommendations about where I could get the prop refurbished, probably including reamed holes and sleeves or over-size pins?

Thanks

 

[Bav32]

mark,
had this problem on my previous boat.
Easily resolved by local engineering company drilling out holes in blades and making new pivot pins.
I then used a reamer to line up / enlarge the holes in the hub to accept the new pins.
Didn't cost much either.
It didn't make much difference to performance, but sure was a good bit quieter, and gave ME piece of mind.

 

[savageseadog]

Make sure the gear teeth aren't corroded as if they don't mesh properly it will jam open or closed or halfway. It's very hard to test for by hand but if there's any play between the teeth it's probably a write off.

 

[rob2]

Although it probably isn't the cheapest option, you could ask Darglow Engineering - they refurbish folding props and presumably can advise whether it is viable. Mind you, they are very helpful with phone queries, so may be able to advise whether it is within the realms of a local machine shop.

Rob.

 

[Halo]

When I talked to Darglow about re furbishing a folding prop they said it would need to be balanced afterwards. Not sure if yours would also need this. M

 

[rudolph_hart]

mark,
had this problem on my previous boat.
Easily resolved by local engineering company drilling out holes in blades and making new pivot pins.
I then used a reamer to line up / enlarge the holes in the hub to accept the new pins.
Didn't cost much either.
It didn't make much difference to performance, but sure was a good bit quieter, and gave ME piece of mind.

+1 for local engineering co. They enlarged all holes & made new pins. Quality job.

Inexpensive, quick and sorted my Volvo 3-blade folder. No balance problems

 

[Slowtack]

Looking at a variation on this theme. In my case the pin holes are ok, the wear is between the blade roots and the hub slots. Resultant prop blade wobble and sticking at times when partially opened. I am considering reducing the blade root thickness and using pairs of stainless steel shims to take up the required adjustment. Alternative may be to build up the blade roots but I am concerned that may lead to corrosion/ rapid wear issues. Plan B is possibly a Kiwiprop or perhaps a cheaper fixed prop but I know I wont like the increased drag.