Fitting a large propeller to shaft

[jackieschmidt]

We have a couple of 11 inch diameter prop shafts out of a Harbor Tug in for rebuild.

One of the operations is fitting the prop‘s taper to the shaft. The props are 112 inches in diameter X 102 inches pitch. Each prop is rated at 2500 HP.Here are a couple of pictures.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Cool stuff. That itty bitty mill in the background doesn't look like it be of much use on parts of that size.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Cool stuff. That itty bitty mill in the background doesn't look like it be of much use on parts of that size.

The shaft doesn’t look so big now, does it.

 

[ronsatspokane]

Now that's a lathe. Not sure it would fit in my shop.

 

[338 Mollett]

WHAT A LATHE !!!

 

[Fuj]

Looks like Jackie buy's Dykem by the 55 gallon drum !!

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Now those are some jackstands. Not something you'd normally find at Tractor Supply.

 

[mike mccormick]

Just speculation here, but I think someone knows what he's doing......

 

[1813benny]

Is the prop hub area heated/expanded and mechanically pushed up the taper or is there another method used? Between use of the key and the thickness of the prop hub, hydraulic would not appear to be an option (at least for installation).

 

[rwj]

I thought that prop was a rifle rest… at least I think it appeared in a previous @jackieschmidt post with a nice rifle!

 

[rardoin]

Jackie, do ya'll buy Dykem from a bulk plant?

 

[hogpatrol]

Am wondering if you have a gauge to check the propeller I.D. Brings back memories of when I machined them at BLH in Eddystone, PA. Thanks for the pics.

 

[caihlen]

I thought that prop was a rifle rest… at least I think it appeared in a previous @jackieschmidt post with a nice rifle!

Yeah. I thought it was a front rest!!

 

[dfrosch]

The shaft doesn’t look so big now, does it.View attachment 1273944

Many years ago, I ran a cnc Dianichi lathe with a 52" chuck. Similar configuration, except the bed was maybe a half or a third the length. The spindle had 4 gears. First gear maxed out at 63 RPM, second at 125, third at 250 and fourth at 500. The finished parts were subsea spools that finished around 5 tons. The forgings started around 8 tons.

The shop supervisor would walk around bothering everyone all day. If he stopped by my machine for too long, I'd crank up the spindle to a little over 200. His eyes would get wide and he'd start backing away from the machine. After a while, he didn't stop by unless he absolutely had to.

 

[dfrosch]

Is the prop hub area heated/expanded and mechanically pushed up the taper or is there another method used? Between use of the key and the thickness of the prop hub, hydraulic would not appear to be an option (at least for installation).

Looks like they're using a power pack in the first photo.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Here is a video of another prop we fit a while back, shows how we put it on and take it off in such a way as it goes on and comes off straight In order to get a precise reading on the blue fit.

As you can see, our men work as an efficient team and know exactly what they are doing. We have designed and built specific tooling for doing this type of work.

We do a lot of these through the year, every boat that goes on dry dock will probably have the prop tapers refit.

 

[BoydAllen]

Interesting and impressive. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Old Navy]

Similar to removing/installing a snowmobile clutch.

 

[jackieschmidt]

WHAT A LATHE !!!

It’s our 38 foot American Twin Carriage.
here are some pics of some of our other equipment, all designed to do Marine Machine Shop Work.

 

[M-61]

Wondered about that wooden box at the start of the video which became evident shortly.
Long ways from your men's first installation!