To Ink or Not to Ink......

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Nov 6, 2002
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So, I've been reading about everyone testing the latest and the greatest props, or rebalancing and sharpening their favorite props to get more speed or turn higher RPM's. And as everyone knows that's one key to success. We go to the pond, test let's say an X-437 2 blade on a 3.5 outboard, then try a two blade or go to a 440 or 640 etc....even the new M-series perhaps.

But, here's the question: After spending top dollar buying a prop or lots of time recupping, tweaking, balancing and sharpening etc yourself.....do you take a Sharpie and write the specs on to the prop?? Or do you keep notes on every prop and put it somewhere in your prop box? I have some props that I've inked, some have notes on paper, some no history at all. I've even bought used props w/ink on them.

However, I've got to figure that that little bit of ink has got to cause some sort of imbalancing. It's like when you polish a newly balanced prop, it tends to get off balanced just a little. I'm just afraid that the ink on a prop will cause the imbalance and trash my prop shaft assemblies even more than what a balanced prop eventually does to it. I know this sounds crazy, but it's sure convenient to read off the prop while it's on the boat what prop you got on it, the cut or pitch etc...

Let me know what you guys think.
 
So, I've been reading about everyone testing the latest and the greatest props, or rebalancing and sharpening their favorite props to get more speed or turn higher RPM's.  And as everyone knows that's one key to success.  We go to the pond, test let's say an X-437 2 blade on a 3.5 outboard, then try a two blade or go to a 440 or 640 etc....even the new M-series perhaps.
But, here's the question: After spending top dollar buying a prop or lots of time recupping, tweaking, balancing and sharpening etc yourself.....do you take a Sharpie and write the specs on to the prop??  Or do you keep notes on every prop and put it somewhere in your prop box?  I have some props that I've inked, some have notes on paper, some no history at all.  I've even bought used props w/ink on them.

However, I've got to figure that that little bit of ink has got to cause some sort of imbalancing.  It's like when you polish a newly balanced prop, it tends to get off balanced just a little.  I'm just afraid that the ink on a prop will cause the imbalance and trash my prop shaft assemblies even more than what a balanced prop eventually does to it.  I know this sounds crazy, but it's sure convenient to read off the prop while it's on the boat what prop you got on it, the cut or pitch etc...

Let me know what you guys think.

93552[/snapback]

 
I make a mold of a good prop, that way I can always replicate it and it assures both blades are the same. Lately done a lot of work on a ABC 3014 and writing down what was done to it would make a huge list, while makeing a mold only takes 10 minutes ( after making the initial tools for it of course).

some pics how to make a propmold

Julius
 
If its a prop I repitched, I will write on back of a blade, Paint pens work great and stay on. Some people scribe on the hub.
 
Rodney,

I have three prop boxes that I use most of the time,each hold 20 props.

I have a little card in each slot telling the size, the cup,or any special tricks.

I wouldn't worry about a little marker on one blade,like Don said write on

them all. As far as balance that is another thing. Have you ever tried to balance

your whole driveline set up? Is your motors flywheel balanced? How about the

collet on the crank? Balancing will take up all your precious time believe me. :D

Oh Yeah, forget the polish on the propellers, it slows you down and cavitates

the boat set up. That is what Jerry's test proved to Steve.

Good Topic,

Mark Sholund
 
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I just lightly ingrave the hub with cup and or dia. info if the prop isn't a stock s&b.

I don't get crazy and gouge the hub real deep. You shouldn't have to go too deep to make it perm. It also sound like a tatoo gun(to ink or not to ink :p ) when you use the ingraver.

As far ar writting the info on the blades, I use to do this myself but didn't like having to re-write it on the blades every once in a while. But to answer your question I don't imagine that a little ink from a sharpie would make a huge differance or problem, but if you where to cover the whole blade or use a heavy paint pen I guess it possably could.

-BUCK-
 
Mark,

I'll try doing what you said. Write on the blades as I see fit.

So if the Mother's polish I use causes drag, how do you get that great finish on the props I've bought from you? Is there a difference between compound rouge and polish in the water?

As for the flywheels I'm okay there, but you bring up a good point, are my collets? Some are square drive some are the clamp type. I'll have to go check them. Do you just grind down the heavy side a little?
 
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