Props part 2

[tr7v8]

Ok the prop saga deepens. The issue is that I dropped off a pair of tatty but intact props to GMS to be checked over & reconditioned. They sent them to SMM and returned them a fortnight later in Black! and with a bill for over £ 106..
On fitting them it turns out they are different diameters by about 1".
Just got off the phone after speaking to SMM who say they were in fact bent and also "powdered" When I mentioned that as a "matched pair" they differ in dia. by an inch he said "we didn't check diameter" and any way because of the aluminium we couldn't have welded them anyway. So effectively after spending over a hundred quid I have 2 pieces of scrap alloy. He couldn't even suggest which size they should be (didn't he measure them?) one is marked I think 15 x 16 the other is unreadable. Oh by the way he was shocked when I told him how much GMS had charged me.
Just phoned GMS they will phone me back.

OK guy where do I go from here? Both legally and to get the boat in the water as it's costing me money out of it.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[BarryH]

Re: They\'re prop refurbers Jim, but not as we know

They is talking bollox, course you can weld ally. The Dia should be checked as part of the service. If the dia is too small you'll pull different revs for the same loadings. I doubt wether they are powder coated as the temps needed would bugger the rubber bushes in the hubs. When they are welded the prop is imursed in water to protect the hub with the bit being worked on not in the water, don't know if you can TIG weld under water!

If I were you, I'd be down there now giving them hell. At the very least you want the props put back to standard spec. At the very least you know where not to go to get your props done in ther future. I'd give SD a call, get them to explain the refurb processes they go thru.

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[hlb]

Well. You appear to have an unfit for purpose repair. Nothing to do with Smm. Your contract is with GMS. So dont pay them. They also, if I read this right, appear to have given you a wrong prop back. So they must find you the original. Or a replacement.

To be fair, it looks like the props were knackered in the first place, so in any event you need some new ones.

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Haydn

 

[BarryH]

Re: They\'re prop refurbers Jim, but not as we know

Forgot to mention. Strandard dia supplied when your drives new were the 15 inch jobs. The props were never made by volvo but by a firm in Italy, forget the name at the mo. The pitch can be pushe or pulled by and inch in either direction up or down. Yours seem a bit fine for your set up. Theres a boat the same as yours with 140's running 17's, goes quiet well too.



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[hlb]

Re: They\'re prop refurbers Jim, but not as we know

Barry. Ali eventually gets to the point where it cant effectivly be welded. A bit like trying to weld rust together.

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Haydn

 

[BarryH]

Re: They\'re prop refurbers Jim, but not as we know

Most prop refurbers can refurb a prop if theres at least a third of a blade still intacled. Even if the ali is corroded (the powdered bit, and not powder coating, doh!) it will be tacken down to good metal. You wouldn't weld anything without first getting the surface down to unoxidised metal. I can't see that the props were that far gone that there wasn't enuff metal to use as a base. I've put some real horror stories of props into SD's expecting them to say that its too far gone. They've always come back as good as new. Enen corrosion pits have been filled and on one occasion 2 holes welded and filled. Although they did think that one was borderline scrap.

For a "specialist" prop company to send out, what has been reputidly refurb'd props, in that condition as a matched pair is not on. Did thay stamp a job number into the boss/hub of the thing. Is it still there? If they were that far gone that a proper job couldn't be done then they should have said so and advised a new pair, but they didn't so went ahes and done a half job. What would be the recourse if they had been fitted and caused dmamge to the drives, would they have paid for the drive repairs?

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[hlb]

Re: They\'re prop refurbers Jim, but not as we know

Perfectly agree. We are just guesing how bad the props were. But in any event. They should not be paid for. There would also seem to be a case for damages. If it's worth the bother.

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Haydn

 

[tr7v8]

Thanks guys.
OK spoken to SD they err.... laughed when I told them that the "reconditioner" hadn't checked dia. They also did a few calcs they reckon that 15x16 could be right size as Draco is B Heavy (circa 3tonish) and also reckoned 28Knots on a good day running light etc.
Not sure if SMM have mixed up another, difficult to prove anyway and their is no job number or anything.
SD also said that if one is genuine say 14 dia and the other is 15 then U can't make 14 into a 15 as profile completely wrong. Their next words were that I need to get the props to them get them measured, I'll see what happens and maybe take a day off work next week and get up there
Have already paid GMS (boo) but with a credit card (hurrah), they're definitely NOT powder coated , they have a thin coat of black paint, which I might add shows the circular disc marks where it was sanded down.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[BarryH]

If you are going there, its a house. Bit off putting I know, but a house all the same. You cant miss it its got stone cladding!!!! They do know they're stuff though. Always found them very helpful in the past. Now I'm off to try to find a place that will recon a starter for me, I'm not shelling out 435 quid on a new one!

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[Happy1]

I will be driving past there on Tuesday morning if you want them delivered, plus I got my SS prop there and know where they, you have to be careful as there are 2 Merton Roads !! Just need to get them from you somehow on Monday, but would save you a horrible trip through South London /forums/images/icons/wink.gif Shame I was out on the boat today, seemed I was the only one out in the Gales, but had a brilliant time, great experience but very, very choppy and wet. Needed all my minimal skills to get back into the lock without getting bashed against the concrete walls, just revved her up and went for it, heading into the wind at an angle, went well. It was SWMBO and my anniversary so had some time away from the brats. Let me know if you want them dropped off.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[duncan]

Re:dropped off?

...the brats?...../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Happy1]

Jim,

I will do a deal with you, if you PM me I can arrange to meet you half way at the A2 M25 junction tomorrow late morning and take the props for you, I just need something brought from Chatham MDL in exchange, let me know.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>

 

[colvic]

If the buggers haven't done the job they've charged you for then sue them. I've just issued a County Court summons on line against Pantaenius insurance and under a grand it only costs £50. Hell of a wake up call to any firm that wants to protect its "image" when one of those drops on the mat as it is deemed public knowledge and you can inform who you like of the event. Just as I will be doing on this forum.


Phil

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[tr7v8]

Happy thanks for the offer but I am away in Norfolk at present and won't be back until very late Mon.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[tr7v8]

OK Guys what is the next step, everyone is denying it was their fault. Do I get the props to SD and ask them for a report? This would then mean I can get amatching pair ASAP and get the boat back in the water or do I need a "professional report"?
Love the line from GMS on the phone, "Now I am not getting into a legal arguement over this", Oh yes you B(**&dy well are was my response.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[boatone]

IMHO Steel Developments will serve you well and 'tell you like it is'.
If I wanted a 'professional report' I would probably ask them for it!
Their service is good...I bought new pair of props for my P32 from them last year and arrived next day.
TonyR


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