Prop Scan

[Tomtall]

Something to ask the wife to get you for next Christmas? :D Just kidding,but it would be cool to play with out in the shop.:cool: see it @ http://www.props.com.au/default.htm

[zuperboat]

I guess you work for RON or do you have your own prop shop.

[Dago Fast]

Had prop scan measure my prop and try to repitch it. I am told they can't measure accurately, a prop with a rubber hub because they can't get it straight on a fixture because the hub isn't always straight. Guess it works for non rubber hubs though.

Jim

[Ron Hill]

I'm like a "Hands On" guy...I measure and I hammer...and I measure and I hammer....I taught MICHIGAN years ago that their pitch guages were really stupid...They had props that went 14 13 12 on a blade..they called it a 13...The next blade would go 11, 14 12, they call that blade a 13 too...I'd put my gauge on they go wow....as I measure spots...leading edge should be 12, 13, 14...progress....Michigan had never seen one of my guages...that measures spots....

Like standing with one foot in ice water and one on a Bar-B-Q.....on average, you are just right...

The scan can measure.....but who does the bending???

And, maybe, they are easy to use.....I just see a bunch of numbers and wonder how you can really use those numbers...I can measure props all day...but someone needs to do the MAGIC....

and the last time I checked, gauges don't have hammers.....

On big mother props, these scans may be the ONLY answer....

[Dago Fast]

Think your #1 prop measurements are your business.

Not true.

Prop Scan franchisee, Thomas Marine Propeller will measure your prop and give the measurements to your fellow competitors. If you would like to keep your measurements to yourself, don't let them get their hands on your measurements as they will try to duplicate your prop for anyone for $450.00.

Seems unethical to me, but I didn't know at the time I spent money with them that they would give out my measurements. They said the measurements would be on file for my information, NOT EVERYONE ELSES!

[Dago Fast]

Here is an example of another prop screwed up by Prop Scan in Sacramento.

They evidently couldn't get the prop straight on their fixture because of the rubber hub, so they tryied to remove it and replace it. They charged 250.00 to do what I don't know and the hub was wobbling all over the place.

This prop is off of what used to be the fastest Sport C boat in Region 11.

Live and learn.

Be careful !!

Dago Fast

[dr.propelas]

Hi Ron, do you make your own gauges to check the pitch or buy it? Also, I ask you if you can e mail me how is the system to check the pitch mentioned in an old post in this forum, Thanks

[MN1]

I've had my Sport C props (6) all prop scanned. By an ex boat racer. It does take someone that knows how to work on race props and can do the banging
and grinding.
Mark N

[Ron Hill]

A consultant knows 47 ways to make love but he doesn't know any women. Measuring a prop is the same thing...damn near anyone can measure a prop, but bending it, sanding it or grinding it what is hard...

[Dago Fast]

A consultant knows 47 ways to make love but he doesn't know any women. Measuring a prop is the same thing...damn near anyone can measure a prop, but bending it, sanding it or grinding it what is hard...

To MN1,
After you had your props measured by the ex boat racer, what did that information do for you as far as transfering that information to boat performance?
I think that if you want to know what the diameter and pitch of your props are, that information can be obtained with a tape measure and a pitchometer.
If you have a prop that is your fastest and you want to duplicate it, you can take a blank and work it and measure it and cut it and measure it and grind it and measure it until you are close to the original you are copying.
If you want to measure a prop that does not have a rubber hub and you want a computer printout to put in your files that shows those measurements, then you can pay big money and have it scanned.
For the Scan people to tell you that by measuring your prop with a scanning fixture attached to a computer you will have increased performance with your boat is obviously not true and is misrepresenting their capabilities.
Scanning does not balance your prop. They do not test your prop on your boat.
Some things just can't be replaced by a computer.

dago fast

[MN1]

Well, I was lucky when I bought 4 used props in that they were all very different from each other (pitch and rake wise) Since my boat is so different I had no idea what it would want for a prop.
First we did testing with the props as bought. Then took that info to the prop guy and one new casting. After going though all the notes we came up with what we hoped would be a good prop for my boat. It did work, but it takes someone that knows race boats.
One thing that Prop Scan does do is give you a graph of pitches as is changes on the whole blade area. It's very interesting to compare and try to see why one prop is working better than the others. All on a graph and not the prop guy telling you ya got a 18 pitch prop with a little rake. It puts some of the deciding up to you, if you want too.
In the right hands it does work.
Mark N

[Ron Hill]

I have John Meyers make all my gauges...