VooDoo Prop Pitch Gauge - Modifications to make it "right"...

I took the plunge and purchased a VooDoo Prop Pitch gauge. Wanted something more portable and easier/quicker to read.

Well, it's all that. Seems simple to use, etc.

However, I didn't feel like it was made as precise and repeatable as it could be, and it had kind of an "unfinished" quality to it. For example, the round knob's countersunk screw protruded because the aluminum arm wasn't counterbored for it. The knob on the top of the pedestal was too small and a rounded knob, making getting it snug a bit of a task. And, it wouldn't handle 1/8" props.

So, I made some changes. Sharing in case this might help someone else out there.

1) I drilled out the brass pivot base and tapped it out to 10-32 so I could use a standard 3/6" propshaft to hold the prop.

2) I took a 3/16" stepped to 1/8" shaft for 0.0625" wire and added 10-32 threads to the 3/16" portion.

3) I used drive-dogs to hold the prop base.

4) I added a longer threaded 1/4-20 rod into the base, and got a pair of steel bushings (1/4" ID) to allow me to space the gauge up and down, depending on the prop.

5) I added a teflon screw counterbored into the base to allow me to add some slop-reducing tension on the brass pivot.

NOW, it's useful!!

I made another very useful modification today.

Measured 10 and 20 degrees, marked off a .0625" offset to the right, and drilled/reamed 0.125" holes. Made a post from an old 1/8" propshaft.

Now the gauge is useful for measuring trailing edge pitch, etc. Just use the formula:

Pitch= (Dial reading x 360)/degrees