Prop repair shop in central Florida/experience

[shag]

Just thought I would post my experience so far with Hall's Propeller Service in Christmas Florida (just outside of Orlando. I had rolled all four blades on my prop (not bad - but rolled), and did not want to pay the $180 at the dealer. 'Mike' and Hall's was very professional. I called in the am, and he said to bring it out. He had it done in 2 hours (enough time to get a bite to eat, and hit tractor supply down the street). When I picked it up - it looks brand new, with most of the factory grooves still intact. He said he guarantees it will perform like new, and that they have been doing props for a very long time (and I believe it by looking around the shop). They don't have the computerized machine like the company my dealer uses, but Hall's only charge me $100. I mounted it but have not ran it yet - I don't anticipate any problems. If so, I will post.
'Mike' says people ship them props all the time, and that he would do most ski boat props for about $100.
Halls Propeller
407-568-5506
24700 E. Highway 50
At any rate - just thought it might help to know the info. Maybe it is better to have the dealer do it, but for $80 difference, I will try it.
Have a nice day!
Christmas Florida 32709

[wantanautique]

How did this turn out? Did you ever test the prop? Just curios was thinking about taking my prop there.

[shag]

The performance is no different then factory, that I can tell. I would go there again.

[DanielC]

That is great you found a good propeller repair shop. Repairing propellers to run good on an inboard boat is difficult, because the propeller shaft angle magnifies any differences between the blades.

Here is my opinion of propeller issues I have found to be generally true. Acme propeller generally run better out of the box, factory new, than OJ propellers run, brand new. Take the OJ propeller to a good shop, and the first time it is straightened, it will generally run better than new.

To the best of my knowledge, all propeller shops straighten propellers the same way. They have many different blocks, that match the contour of a good propeller, and they just set it on the block, and hammer down the high spots, until each blade matches the block. They use a hammer that has a softer metal than the blade of the propeller. When they are done, they polish the propeller to remove any hammer marks.

Using a computerized layout machine is not necessary to get a propeller good, A good skilled propeller person can possibly get it good enough, but if you do have the machine that can tell you exactly where each blade is, it can be a huge help. However, if a shop does have the computerized machine, they still have to move the propeller the same way, by hitting it with a hammer, on a matching contour block.

[bdow]

I've taken my prop to him several times to to fix, and they always perform like new, he also repitches them.

[DeltaPropman]

Ski Boat Prop Repairs

Most repair shops only use the Hale MRI (Measurement Recording Instrument) on inboard propellers with a larger diameter. The Hale MRI transmits extremely precise 3-D data to the computer from your propeller. Pitch, rake, track, spacing, thickness, geometry, and camber are recorded in order to make an exact match or optimize repair accuracy.

It is not necessary to repair most ski boat propellers with the MRI technology, so most shops do use the matching pitch blocks dedicated for the specific propeller they are repairing (including your Acme and OJ ski boat props)

[ski4evr]

ACME just repaired my prop which had dingers on all 4 blades. Two blades were pretty bad. Just got it back, looks great!!! They charged $153 which includes return shipping in a new prop box. Very satisfied so far.

[DanielC]

Again I will say, it is not necessary to have a computerized measuring system to straighten a propeller. Some one who is skilled, can straighten a propeller to acceptable standards good enough without it, if they are good, and care. Likewise, someone with the computerized equipment may not do a good job, if they do not care.
If you can find a shop with the computerized equipment, and they use it, you have a greater chance of getting a better propeller. Expect to pay a little more, because it does take time to set up the propeller in the computerized machine.

If a propeller shop does not have the computerized equipment, they will tell you it is not necessary for small propellers. They still want your business. They are a business, and in business, you do not buy tools and equipment you do not need, or use.

I have probably just upset a few propeller shop owners. Consider this. If you have the computerized equipment, and can demonstrate how it helps you provide a better product to your customers, your business will increase. If you already have the equipment, and only use it on larger (over 15") propellers, think about how many ski and wakeboard boats have propellers smaller than that.