*** Update June 2023***
The plans for these kits are available for free as is, by email request!
(Conditions apply)
Scroll down for details
(Complete Tool Kits are no longer available.)
How I repaired Propellers from start to finish - Watch all 6 YouTube videos
Ideal for small outboard shops, light engineering shops or the home handyman already familiar with welding. These simple tools are used in averaging out the propeller pitch and rake to give very speedy repairs. Practically all outboard and sterndrive propellers to 20 inches in diameter can be aligned with this kit. (software measures props 9" to 20" although outside this range may be possible) This is a stepping stone for those who wish to get into the propeller repair industry at a low cost then move up to a more advanced system as their needs grow.
What items are to be made / included in kits?
1. The Rake Gauge - Probably the most important tool in the kit! When we think of balancing a propeller we automatically think of weight balancing (dynamic). But it's way more important to have the blades straight and in alignment with each other (statically balanced). Blades that are bent or missing pieces will cause vibrations because they are not holding equal water pressure on each blade. This tool assists in showing you where a propeller is bent and we can also use them to compare rake against new propellers.
2. The Pitch Gauge - I use this after I align the blades. We have to ensure each blade is cutting through the water at the same angle at different radii. Lastly we check the cup on the trailing edge of the blade. We need to have the cup slightly higher than the leading or cutting edge for it to work efficiently. I have spoken about cup on another page on my web site, but for now let's think about the cup as being there to hold water pressure on the blades. If one cup is lower than the others we will find it to have a vibration effect. So, how important is it to have the pitch measured accurately? Consider this, If I wanted to change pitch on a 15" diameter propeller I would have to physically twist the whole blade around approximately 2 mm to change 1" of pitch. Impact damage bends the blade alignment (rake) it won't twist the blades around. Straighten the blades first then the pitch usually follows.
3. The Backing Plate - This is a neat little concept. We clamp the backing plate into a vice in either a vertical or horizontal position. Our propellers are mounted to the backing plate in the vertical position for the straightening side of the repair and once we have finished we turn it to the horizontal position for the welding, sanding and finishing off process.
4. Misc bits & pieces - Included in the box are several threaded rods and mandrels for mounting the propellers to the backing plate. You will also find a spacer and bushes for centralizing the propellers. Oh, and not to forget the steel ruler for measuring pitch.
5. Measuring Software - You could do all the calculations to measure pitch manually but I created a neat little flash interface for entering the information into to give us our pitch. (see software specs below)
What propellers will these tools work with?
Nearly every outboard and most stern drive propellers on the market! Yamaha, Mariner, Mercury, Evinrude, Johnson, Tohatsu, Suzuki, Honda, Chrysler, Volvo. Make some adapters up and repair Volvo Duo props, Mercruiser Bravo propellers etc. This little box contains a business nearly all boat shops could use.
Other equipment required? (not included)
The main equipment you will require is an AC/DC TIG welder. The operation and use of a TIG welder is not included with this information. These are readily available on eBay for less than $1000. A standard vice mounted to a work bench, 7" / 5" sanders, file, hammers, welding consumables and a pc to run the measuring software if required.
*** Update June 2023***
Details
I am no longer updating apps or information. Software is now provided free as is.
Please download and store a copy of your files offline as the link my expire.
The plans include -
4 x Cad Drawings - Pitch gauge, Rack gauge, Mandrels, Misc.
Videos - How I made the tools
Pitch Measuring Software (see below)
Download the CAD drawings in PDF format and brief construction videos so you can start building these tools straight away! The videos describe how I built the Pitch Gauge, Rake Gauge, Mandrels and the Misc equipment required to use with them. Included are the 8 videos from our Youtube channel to view offline. Also included is the pitch measuring software and an explanation on how it works plus a few of my extra tips that kept my sanity when I was running my own business.
Windows 10 has turned off Adobe Flash so the windows app has been altered and appears to work fine as a stand alone windows exe, even in win 11. Included in the download is a working, experimental android app which will need to be installed on an android device manually. If the android app does not run on your android device please try installing it on an older device as it maybe that later versions of android have higher security levels. I don't offer any software support. Cad files can be viewed via any pdf viewer.
** These plans ares strictly for those wanting to start their own business, or in a welding business already, have aluminium TIG welding experience, access to a lathe, or access to a machine shop who can make these tools for you. To obtain a link to the download, I only ask that you send an email request with a short story about how these tools might help you (ie: go into business / expand on current business), the name of your business and for my own curiosity, where you are located in the world.
I am long out of propeller repairs and my time is limited to only professional requests not hobbyists! I reserve the right to decline or ignore any vague email request.
If you would like to donate anything to my offer that would help me out - https://www.paypal.me/jeffwlee
Jeff - Cooktown QLD Australia 4895
email: thepropellerhub@gmail.com
Suggested reading - Propeller Handbook
Before proceeding with purchasing please ensure you have read this article fully to understanding the limitations and advantages of the information. If you have any questions please contact me for further clarification. The tools and software were designed to give reasonable accuracy in the repair of propellers to 20 inch in Diameter. If you are wishing to repair heavily damaged propellers, stainless steel or propellers to ISO standards then I would highly recommend purchasing an alternate propeller repair system using pitch blocks and computer measuring devices. The information I am providing is based on my own process of "How I repaired propellers" in my own successful propeller repair business and you would need to investigate the suitability of this information, software and equipment for your own applications and country legal requirements. It does not, and is not intended to provide a complete understanding of all aspects of propellers repairs. A true reading and comparison can be easily made against a new propeller. With experience a repairer should be able to achieve a very satisfactory result. Some manufacturer's sizes may be different from actual size measured because of progressive pitch and cup size. It is impossible to list every variable on this web site which would relate to the many scenarios you may come across. People’s lives are at stake if you send them out to sea with a faulty bush a poor blade repair or bad advice. You need to set your standards very high and let’s keep in mind the safety aspect of boating. Make sure you are competent enough in your advice and to make those decisions about what’s a safe repair and what should be basically thrown away. Having said all that the system I used worked successfully for years in a professional propeller repair shop.
The information in this article is subject to change without notice.
