Tiny little propeller ding - anything to worry about?

[gotchiguy]

Hi again chaps,

Just a quick question...

I scraped the prop (absolutely unavoidably) on the slipway today whilst attempting a recovery with a strong cross current. I know its nothing, but it really sort of annoys me. I know I could probably just file it down with a HCS file, but I don't know, it would sort of make me feel better if I had it done professionally.

I know its nothing but I'd just like to know if its possible or would I just get laughed out the shop if I took it into Sam on the Clyde or Steel Developments, since by lucky chance I can easily pass either of them in the next few weeks...

pics...

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

I know I could probably just file it down with a HCS file, but I don't know, it would sort of make me feel better if I had it done professionally.

On one hand you could probably just ignore it because you might as well wait till you do something serious before paying to fix it.

or would I just get laughed out the shop

on the other its not good business for them to laugh you off with a minor repair. Besides presumably the racing people would get this fixed for the extra 0.1 knots.

[neilda]

I have yet to ding a prop, but is this the sort of damage that could be filed to repair - or is that just not done to a prop?

[BogMonster]

I had some damage not too much worse than that and I reckon it knocked about 2 knots off the top speed even after filing it down.

I'd probably not bother with that though, leave it till after a proper rotavating session.

[two stroke mick]

I have caught a ali prop in a rope. The prop looked to be ok no visable marks but it did not feel right. I sent it to Steel developments for checking and it was out of pitch.

[Erin]

I did something similar, probably worse to two blades on my prop last year with one of those random biuts of granite that lurk just under the surface. I filed it smooth, and can't say I've noticed any difference since.
Damned rocks
I suppose it may affect vibration slightly, but having felt the weight of the thing, a few grams can't make that much of a difference.

[jyasaki]

Personally, I'd lightly smooth the edges with a file and forget about it.

jky

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Personally, I'd lightly smooth the edges with a file and forget about it.

jky

One thing to watch. You could introduce a ferrous metal from whatever was filed before and start corrosion. Probably safe enough to do it with a new file that hasn't been used on anything else. That's my tuppence worth.

[Chris]

Take the rough edges away with some wet'n'dry sand paper then forget it.

Also if you want to get it fixed don't bother with Steel Developments they are rude and unhelpful and they did a shit job on my prop. Speak to these guys instead...

http://www.propellersolutions.co.uk/

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by spartacus

One thing to watch. You could introduce a ferrous metal from whatever was filed before and start corrosion. Probably safe enough to do it with a new file that hasn't been used on anything else. That's my tuppence worth.

The corrosion from introduced ferrous sources (contaminated file or emery cloth or whatever) is primarily cosmetic. Stainless doesn't fall to rust sheets because you put a bit of mild steel on it.

jky