Attention Forum Members:

Before selling your propeller, please read this information very carefully, and rate your propeller accordingly. It is also suggested that you post a photo, however, if you are unable to do this, please be explicit in your description.

The scale is as follows
:



NEW - Unopened factory shipment.

When an item's condition is called "NEW", it must be a factory sealed box, and the seller should declare what if any warranty will be provided by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers will honor warranties only if purchased from an authorized dealer. Other manufacturers may offer warranty to the original owner only, even if that original owner never opened the box. Thus, any item rated as NEW should be accompanied by a warranty statement within the description of the listing. Otherwise, perspective buyers should ask the seller about the warranty - do not make any assumptions other than a factory sealed box.

If an item has been opened for inspection or any other reason, it should NOT be rated "New."


10 / 10 - Mint - Essentially never used, factory fresh appearance!

The word "mint" is used so often that its meaning is taken for granted. Mint can be used to describe an item if it meets the following criteria without exception: The prop must have been on a prop shaft for less than one hour. There can be no dings, nicks, or exhaust residue on the prop. If the prop is polished, it should shine perfectly and have no pitting or scratching. There can be signs in the hub that the prop has been on a shaft but NO visible wear can exist.

Very few pre-owned or demo items qualify for this level, so a thorough inspection is strongly recommended before listing an item at a rating of 10/10.


9 / 10 - Excellent - Perfect physical condition, light use.

Excellent props are props that have less than 10 hours on them. The prop can have no dings or nicks. If the prop is polished, it should be possible to have it shine perfectly by cleaning it with a mild cleanser. No pitting can exist and it can have only minor scratching in the cups. If the scratching in the cups is visible from a distance of four feet, the prop is not excellent. Slight discoloration where exhaust passes the hub can exist, but it should be easily cleanable. The hub can show minor signs of use but no visible wear can exist.


8 / 10 - Very good – Clearly used but roughly perfect.

This prop looks almost new from a short distance. It has no dings or nicks. The hub can show only very modest signs of wear. This prop probably has some scratching in the cups and the hub is probably darkened from exhaust residue. Props in this condition probably have quite a few hours on them but they have no physical blemishes.


7 / 10 - Good – Up to 3 minor nicks, looks used but well maintained.

Good props can have up to 3 nicks with the maximum depth of the deepest nick being 1/16 of an inch. The hub can show wear but it can not be grooved badly. The hub can be heavily darkened with exhaust. Scratches in the cups can be obvious but not deep.



6 / 10 - Fair – 3 major nicks or up to 9 minor nicks.

This prop appears used on first glance. It can have up to 3 nicks more than 1/16 inch but less than 1/8 inch in depth. If all nicks are less than 1/16 inch, there can be up to 9 of them. The hub can have minor grooving but this prop should be perfectly serviceable for the guy who is prepared to accept a well used prop. If a “Fair” propeller is polished, it should be possible to bring it back to a reasonable shine with detergent and scrubbing. It can have some minor rust blemishes.


5 / 10 - Average – Up to 3 dings, up to 9 major nicks, or more than 9 minor nicks.

The leading edges of the “average” prop can have a multitude of minor nicks less than 1/16 inch deep. If there are major nicks up to 1/8 inch deep, there has to be 9 or less. The hub can have significant grooving but should be completely serviceable. If a prop originally had a high polish finish, it can require a light re-polish and still be in this category. There can be rust spots and some pitting. This prop can have up to 3 dings up to ¼ inch in depth. Props in this condition look used at first glance from a distance.


4 / 10 - Mediocre - Rough physical, but still working.

A “Mediocre” prop probably needs to be reworked but might be mostly brought back by someone with some pounding and skillful filing. There should be very little material missing but it might have some dings over ¼ inch in depth. If a prop has a visibly bent blade this is the highest it will rate. The hub can be heavily grooved.


3 / 10 - Poor - Rather beat up, would limp you home but you would be afraid to run it fast.

If the prop has some material torn away, this is the highest it will rate. This prop needs to be rebuilt and the rebuild will require some welding. The hub can be heavily worn to the point at which it would not be wise to use it much further.


2 / 10 - Very Poor - Beat up, bent, or a lot of missing material. Not usable in current condition.

Props in this condition are bought as rebuildable cores. A blade can be torn off and the hub can be worn to the point of unsuitability.



1 / 10 - Shot​ - Not usable in current condition. Most likely destroyed.

A prop with more than one blade torn off can not rate higher than this. Listings of this grade should read something like, “Mangled but possibly rebuildable prop.”


Caveats:

Welding – if a prop has been welded, there should be a caveat indicating this in the original listing.
Transformation – if the prop has been turned into a model other than what it started life as, it should be noted in a caveat.
Worked – any prop that has been worked must have this caveat in the listing.
Blueprinted – any prop that has been blueprinted should bear this caveat.