rebuilt aluminum props

[hardwater fisherman]

is it worth getting aluminum props rebuilt? im buying a new prop and i wanted to possibly have the old rebuilt for a spare. it is a third the price. does anyone have experience with a rebuilt prop? i know it depends on who is rebuilding but im asking how strong is this process. the prop is not missing chunks but it is worn down mostly from sandy bottom lakes.

 

[jestor68]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

Unless the blades are bent or missing chunks, leave it alone and call it your spare.

Material "worn" off all blades due to old age cannot be replaced.

 

[emilsr]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

Material "worn" off all blades due to old age cannot be replaced.

Material can be added to replace whatever metal is missing on the blades. Same with skegs.

It is absolutely worth it to have a prop rebuilt, and it'll be just as strong as it was when the prop was new. As stated, a lot depends on who is rebuilding it, but a lot of folks have the tools (and skills) to rebuild aluminum.

 

[jestor68]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

Material can be added to replace whatever metal is missing on the blades. Same with skegs.

It is absolutely worth it to have a prop rebuilt, and it'll be just as strong as it was when the prop was new. As stated, a lot depends on who is rebuilding it, but a lot of folks have the tools (and skills) to rebuild aluminum.

The guys at Mercury Racing Prop Lab tell me they can reduce diameter; but cannot increase diameter(add material). You must know something they don't.

 

[emilsr]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

The guys at Mercury Racing Prop Lab tell me they can reduce diameter; but cannot increase diameter(add material). You must know something they don't.

No, but they're working with stainless. Aluminum is a different animal.

 

[pootnic]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

I get props rebuilt atleast acouple times a year.
They can add whole blades if need be;with aluminum or brass.
I have very good results with them,until I hit a rock ledge.

 

[airshot]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

Been having alum props rebuilt by qualified prop shops for years, never had an issue. If they need to be welded, the weld may be just a bit softer than original, but hardly noticible. I would never hesitate to have one redone by qualified prop personal.

Airshot

 

[H20Rat]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

Unless the blades are bent or missing chunks, leave it alone and call it your spare.

Material "worn" off all blades due to old age cannot be replaced.

I've lost track of the # of aluminum props that have had major chunks (or even entire blades missing) repaired. Call your local prop shop and ask before posting mis-information.

At least in my experience, rebuilt props are usually BETTER than new, a good prop shop will balance them better than OEM.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

I have had several aluminum props rebuilt and they worked great.

 

[dingbat]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

The guys at Mercury Racing Prop Lab tell me they can reduce diameter; but cannot increase diameter(add material). You must know something they don't.

Perhaps they should talk with this guy. Seems he can "add material" w/o a problem

Prop Repair Stainless Steel - YouTube

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

But what about price to repair them? The prop shop i use can rebuild aluminum props, but its not very cost effective when you can just buy a brand new prop for the near the price of fixing a heavily damaged one. With stainless this is not as much of a factor because the props are much more expensive new.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

But what about price to repair them? The prop shop i use can rebuild aluminum props, but its not very cost effective when you can just buy a brand new prop for the near the price of fixing a heavily damaged one. With stainless this is not as much of a factor because the props are much more expensive new.

Very relevant point..100 gets a new solas with the proper pitch and new fresh geometry..I cant imagine how a rebuild of a narly old aluminum prop could be rebuilt for that.

 

[emilsr]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

The OP says he can have his AL prop done for 1/3 the cost of a new one. In that case it's definitely worth it.

The last time I had an aluminum prop rebuilt (back in the dark ages) it cost about $100 for a brand new OMC prop for my 'rude, $60 to rebuild one. Still worth it IMO, as a good prop guy will give it the "personal attention" that was shown in the video. New props straight out of the box aren't usually trued up and balanced as well as one that's been worked by hand, by a pro. New isn't necessarily better. I wouldn't be at all surprised if that one blade that didn't quite fit the pitch block wasn't like that when the prop was new.

There's a small cottage industry out there just for the purpose of making new props better. It's called labbing. Even though it almost doubles the price of a stainless prop, lots of guys are getting positive results and think it's worthwhile.

 

[jestor68]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

The prop is not missing chunks but it is worn down mostly from sandy bottom lakes.

I read that to mean that his old prop was worn down uniformly on all (three?) blades due to years of chewing sand/mud. How much? How knows. Let's say there is 10 thousands of an inch worn uniformly off all the blades from point A to point B on all blades.

How can any prop shop replace that material with any accuracy and get all blades exactly the diameter that they were when new.

Placing a prop blade on a pitch block and beating on it is one thing. We're talking about welding a bead of aluminum on all blades, then grinding and shaping in order to get all (3?) blades exactly the same as when they came out of the mold. I doubt it.

The labor cost to do all this is another matter.

 

[gm280]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

I read that to mean that his old prop was worn down uniformly on all (three?) blades due to years of chewing sand/mud. How much? How knows. Let's say there is 10 thousands of an inch worn uniformly off all the blades from point A to point B on all blades.

How can any prop shop replace that material with any accuracy and get all blades exactly the diameter that they were when new.

Placing a prop blade on a pitch block and beating on it is one thing. We're talking about welding a bead of aluminum on all blades, then grinding and shaping in order to get all (3?) blades exactly the same as when they came out of the mold. I doubt it.

The labor cost to do all this is another matter.

They use a TIG welder and can easily weld a bead on or an entire blade. And then they can reshape eash blade to the exact same pattern and balance it very easily as well. And it will perform as good or even better then a new one... Not a complicated job but a job that requires a certain feel for that type work. The rebuilt props (by a GOOD prop shop) can look amazing if they polish it to a mirror finish... Just whatever the customer wants...

 

[emilsr]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

They use a TIG welder and can easily weld a bead on or an entire blade. And then they can reshape eash blade to the exact same pattern and balance it very easily as well. And it will perform as good or even better then a new one... Not a complicated job but a job that requires a certain feel for that type work. The rebuilt props (by a GOOD prop shop) can look amazing if they polish it to a mirror finish... Just whatever the customer wants...

Don't confuse the poor guy with facts.

 

[jestor68]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

Some body needs a reality check if he thinks he's going to walk into a "prop shop" and say, " all the blades on my old aluminum prop have worn down quite a bit, and I need to get them extended back to where they used to be". "Oh yeah, can you do that for a third the price($40-$45?)of a new aluminum prop"?

The prop guy looks at you kind of funny and says, "what?"

You guys crack me up! :lol:

 

[82rude]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

the point is it can be done .i have a good friend that does props and some of the work is just short of amazing.thing is he will tell you wether its worth it or not .sometimes it cheaper to buy new sometime not.believe it or not i dont really care i know what i see from the work he,s done what can be accomplished by a good prop guy.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

sorry i was out of town for a few days it looks like i started some debate. the reason i said one third the price is because the prop i was looking at is 155 dollars plus tax plus shipping. the oem prop is no longer in stock. it is obsolete. when i took the prop to the local outboard repair shop he told me he could have it sent out and fixed for 70 dollars. at the time there was someone else in the shop and he took me aside and said if i took it to the prop guy directly i would probably save 20 dollars. he gave me the name and number of the place. i have not as yet spoke with the guy. but both people that saw my prop said it was fixable. and if he quoted me 70 dollars im sure hes not doing it for nothing. i know there are probably other companys that make the prop maybe even cheaper than 155 dollars but the only one i saw was on i boats .com the prop is off an evinrude 1976 40hp model number 40604r. i am looking for a 10 1/2 x 13 three blade prop.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Re: rebuilt aluminum props

sorry i said the prop was on i boats.com i was mistaken it was on marine engine .com the props on iboats.com are 11 1/2 and 12 pitch props they are 95 dollars plus tax and shipping.