Prop take off help

[johnboyy7]

Having trouble. I don't have a puller and thought I could
use a c clamp I notched. It won't budge. I hit on the back of it too. Should I put some heat on it. Thoughts..... Or suggestions.

Can this be done without a puller or just suck it up and buy one?

[SkiTower]

You will never regret buying one. And it's like having a truck, everybody will want to borrow it.

[j2nh]

There is another way.

Remove the cotter pin and nut. Take two (2) nuts that have been welded together and screw them on to the shaft so that the first one is threaded on and the second is not.

Tap the end of the nut with a hammer. Prop will ease off the shaft.

NOTE: TAP the shaft do not hit it hard. You are sending a vibration up the shaft and not a shock wave.

An old timer who used to work on old inboards (Chris Crafts) showed me the method, he did not own a prop puller and used this method exclusively. I personally have done this successfully multiple times on previously owned Master Crafts but never on my Nautiques. I couldn't bring myself to hit any part with a hammer so I bought a puller.

[JohnE]

Interesting thought from the ChrisCraft guy. I don't see how that works...but what do I know.

If it is a tapered shaft you might need to use a puller plus heat the prop with a torch. If you do, leave the nut on the shaft because when it breaks free it wants to fly.

You won't regret buying a prop puller.

[j2nh]

Interesting thought from the ChrisCraft guy. I don't see how that works...but what do I know.

If it is a tapered shaft you might need to use a puller plus heat the prop with a torch. If you do, leave the nut on the shaft because when it breaks free it wants to fly.

You won't regret buying a prop puller.

I was skeptical at first as well. I had my first MasterCraft and managed to bend the prop. This guy worked at our local marina so I went in and asked if I could borrow his prop puller. He handed me these two nuts welded together. Must have been my expression because he went on to explain how to use the mechanical marvel and sent me on my way. It worked and the prop eased off the shaft very slowly and without the "pop" you get with a puller. Went through a bunch of props that summer and this method never failed. This was years ago and I hadn't thought about it until this thread, now I am curious and will have to get a couple of nuts welded together and find a MasterCraft to practice on.

[hourglass]

sounds like the harmonic technique. all a harmonic pull essentially is is a giant nut you screw on to the shaft and tap. i am sure it has some type of special characteristic, but same principal i'd imagine.