Cracking Props

Speaking of problems, let me warn you about one with rebuilt props. When you are banging a lot of rocks with the rebuilt props some of them will develop cracks on the base of the blades near its hub. These cracks start out very small and propagate slowly across the base of the blade. If this abuse continues long enough the blade eventually separates from the hub.

The only good news here is that cracks are obvious, even when small, and they lengthen in proportion to the amount of abuse. When you send them to Toups for rebuild the cracks are ground out and the slot rewelded. Rebuilt props are never as resistant to cracks as a new prop but that is why they are so thick. The important thing is that if you are running a rebuilt prop check it periodically for cracks.

Incidentally, some of you may have lost Toups address.

Toups' Propeller Service, Inc.
P.O. Box 91 1413 South State Street
Abbeville, Louisiana 70510
Phone: (337) 893-5785
Fax: (337) 893-5857