cracked chopper

[stvnewbe]

what do you do with a cracked blade? i tried welding it a couple of times & it cracks instantly. can they be repaired or is it junk? thanks

[Corona Mike]

Send it to Leading Edge Propeller. Rich has had very good luck due to the filler metal he's using. Second option is if it cracked on the leading edge, have him cut it like a lightning/hoss/bullet/etc. It removes the cracked metal completly. Good Luck! Mike T.

[150aintenuff]

if its been welded before it may be done fore... but defeniatly send it to either BBlades or leading edge..

[Unpredictable]

Closer to you Maybe is Henry H Smith props in Sombra Ontario. Been around for over 100 years. Also another location in Algonac MI

[leading edge propeller]

what do you do with a cracked blade? i tried welding it a couple of times & it cracks instantly. can they be repaired or is it junk? thanksHi . Where is the crack and how long is it. And most of all is the prop very thin where it is cracked. All these things come into play when making a cracked prop hold up. Hope I can help. Thanks Rich. And to mike t.

[ncjoyota]

I also have a cracked chopper 28p big ear prop

Im an experienced tig welder, and was thinking of trying to weld mine up, but I dont know what flavor stainless filler rod to use... and or is there a pre heat nessesary

I do know about drilling the end of the crack to stop the run, and V-ing the crack for weld... but thats about it

Joe

[Corona Mike]

Joe in my opinion, I'd send it to a prop shop. Leading Edge-Rich-- has done quite a few and knows what to look for. Also I the prop. will have to be re-ballanced and the welded blade re-pitched due to heating. The cost isn't that much, and it's worth it;) Good Luck. Mike T.

[YELLOWSS]

how many rpm's do you turn it????? i had one weleded and it lasted forever, and had one that kept cracking. i sold it on ebay as a cracked prop. i think i got like 80 bucks for it. i have been welding for years mig, stick, tig, all kinds of metals. leave it to the pros man. i would have it cut, if all possible.

roy

[Corona Mike]

Roy, I've got a 28 e.t. that I had repaired several years ago that I turn 9000+ and have never had a problem with it. If the correct metal is used they arn't generally a problem. My e.t. is a double labbed prop--very thin!--so it lives on borrowed time even if it had never been cracked! some guys have them repaired and they pitch a blade 1st time out, guess I've been lucky!

[YELLOWSS]

i think there is a little luck to it. a chopper props are prone to crack. the way it was explained to me is: they kinda viberate and distort a little "wabble" when they turn higher rpms. everyone i seen cracked is 90 degree from the leading edge. i had two done one worked one didn't. i think all the other props are a little less prone to cracking. bullet, et, yammi, etc...
that is how it was described to me. just passing it along. i craked a et too, but it had 3 little factory pits in it where it cracked. it was replaced free.
just my 2 cents.

choppers run well on a stv


roy

[ncjoyota]

it has cracked 90 deg from the sharp blade edge.. right in the middle of the blade.

its about .800 long of a crack.

I generally dont turn it over 6400 rpm, but it may have been cracked before I bought the boat.. and Im not sure what the previous engine turned it

Joe

[YELLOWSS]

i had a small ear 24 crack, and never turned more than 6500. they all crack about in the middle of the ear. i would cut it to a yammi. there are bringing good money now. eliminate the problem. i really like the yammi!!!! i don't know about on a stv. i seen one on a stv at the rumble. a stock 28 chopper on here aren't very expiensive.... it cost i think like 120.00 to weld mine. i think i had it double cupped a the same time. if you want to modify it now is the time.


roy

[stvnewbe]

i think i'll break down & buy a new chopper 2, thanks guys

[Corona Mike]

i think i'll break down & buy a new chopper 2, thanks guys

Best move but...what pitch chopper do you have thats cracked and what would you take for it. I mite be interested. Thanks Mike T.

[propguy]

I've welded a bunch of choppers over the years. I've always used 17-4 stainless rod, 1/16 dia. You need to cut the the full lenth of the crack and weld both sides of the blade.
The important part is the grinding and balancing of the prop. If you want a nice finish, I'd send to a prop shop.

[stvnewbe]

i have 2 26's, 1 i never atempted to repair, the other has been welded twice & cracked in 5 minutes in the exact same spot

[brotherxb03]

I have a 28 big ear hoss cut by Hopkins that had cracked on my brother on the middle of the leading edge. My brother had it worked and it cracked 1st time he used it. So he welded it his self and let a small bead on the outside and polished it. I ran this prop for 10 years without it recracking. I had cleaned up,they took the bead off and it cracked 1st time out.

[Corona Mike]

i have 2 26's, 1 i never atempted to repair, the other has been welded twice & cracked in 5 minutes in the exact same spot

I was hoping it was a small--22/24--chopper I would have been interested. Leading Edge does a very nice VERY FAST!! Yamaha cut on them. Now that's another option, have the prop cut like either the Yamaha or a E.T. that way the crack is cut completly out. Less expensive than a new prop and in some cases, quite a bit faster! Just a thought. Mike T.

[ncjoyota]

I might try to weld mine up.. I have full acess to 17-4ph filler rod, and a really nice harmonic balancing machine. the balancing machine probly wont turn up to 6000 rpm, but i can get it somewhat close

I have been told to drill the ends of the crack with a 3/16 drill to stop the run, then grind the crack out... then put the weld on the back side of the blade (side twards the boat) and whatever isnt 100% cleared on the other side to touch it up..

they said to build the weld up atleast 1/8 above the blade, to float any impurities away from the blade. Then carfully grind the weld mound away after it cools.

also they stated that a piece of copper bent to comform to the blade should be put on the cup side of the blade while welding the bulk of the weld on the back side. It looked like the were clamping it on there with some welding vicescripts

if it dosent work I send it to a prop shop.. but im a machinist and welder... so I just have to give it a shot... right?!?!:D

[YELLOWSS]

it sucks man. i have been there. i don't run them anymore. i have a perfect chopper II x 32. it runs well but not for my boat. my delima is cut it like a yammi, or sell it and buy a yammi copy. has to be a copy because i have the fat shaft. i hate to cut a perfet chopper. if i had one that was cracked i would definately have it cut.. the yammis, and et's are bringing more money right now. they are faster on a lot of boats too.

cut it or sell it.

good luck
roy

[ncjoyota]

I just got mine back from rich at leading edge, and Im impressed.. it looks great!!