MODEL BOATS WEBSITE
0 0
Follow

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Started by LewZ
26 replies 78 likes Last activity: 2 years ago
#27

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

I picked up on this discussion by accident. I had to chuckle. I joined the group (for a second time) to get away from the local boat club politics only to be met by two dogs trying to urinate on the same tree without wetting each other. :-D
Nevertheless, Nick, its called a SWAMBO (She who always must be obeyed).
On the scale prop issue, here's my view, and I am nowhere near experienced. I started my first scale model boat in 2017, and it was a plank on frame. She sails on Youtube in our channel. Her name is Juliana II (after my swambo who is #1).
I had a tug with a home made brass prop. I lost the tug when one of the blades broke off, jammed up between the hull and the cowl, and ripped the gearbox apart with the sudden stop. So, that T-shirt still fits.
I was actually surprized to read that 3D printed props can hold the strain. In my one speedboat, I have a 3D printed outboard. It had a 540 brushed motor and brass gears in the box. The 3D printed prop (PETG) disintegrated on its first run. I then fitted an Atura 2 blade, and this time it stripped the brass gears.
So when it comes to props, I prefer the buy before build option for 2 reasons. One - I have a few t-shirs, and 2 - I live in an apartment and my workshop is a dining room table.
Having said that, buying for me is a major issue. First of all, if you look at the flag on my profile you may notice every price is X20. And then, since most manufacturers are either in the US, EU or FE, the shipping is X100.
I once ordered a set of props. Paid $10 for it, and $150 do get it to me.
Further more...I tend to urinate on Lew's side of the tree when it comes to scale models. Sorry Mr SPQR. 😀
Forget the calculations. A Scale model runs at scale speed. I have seen scale models running so fast in search of a bow wake, it was doing Mach 7.5 if you had to scale it up to the real ship.
Scale boats are in a different class. Not even Proboat's Harbour Tug with that H on the funnel will cut it. That is a scale toy boat.😁 But that's my "humble" opinion as a scale model boater. If the model is 1:20 scale, and I put a crewman on deck at 1:20 scale, the railing must be at his belt (+/- 900mm to 1.1m) (Yes sorry, I moved on to the metric system. All I know about imperial is that their car rental sucks and a half-inch fix anything on a Ford).
Fair winds -and Stormy seas. (calm seas do not make nice slow-mo videos)
Rudy
Liked by LewZ and Len1 and
#26

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

There is only one 'supreme authority' that I know of, and I'm married to it!
If it don't fit, use a hammer to make it fit....
Liked by Len1 and LewZ and
#25

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Obviously SPQR. I'm done with this nonsense.

Lew,
Florida, USA
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by Len1 and RNinMunich
#24

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Sooner or later I will learn what I should or should not write. I'm not trained well yet.
Liked by Len1
#23

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

"Supreme authorities"? "Hahahaha"? Wow, another weird post.

Lew
Florida, USA
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by Len1 and RNinMunich
#22

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Hi Wolle, how I envy you, you are truly lucky if the supreme authorities have determined that yours is a correct comment. Amen.
Hahahaha, I'm joking.
Liked by Len1 and Wolle
#21

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Wolle - I think you hit the nail on the head:

"Personally, I prefer to listen to an experienced model maker and if he shows me a link to what he thinks is a good product, I am very grateful."

That is quite different from posting a list of suppliers without respect to the "good product" you stated.

That should be the goal of all participants on this forum.

Now that is a good comment on this subject. Thanks.

Lew
Florida ⛱️, USA
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by Len1 and RodC and
#20

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Great Wolle.
I really appreciate your modesty (we need more).

Thanks to this forum I know your works and the excellent way of working, for me you are an excellent naval modeller.

You used correct words that I agree with.
Liked by Len1 and hermank and
#19

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Hello, I see it differently. I don't necessarily think that most suppliers of various ship propellers and the like have the experience that a model maker who has been building models for decades has. The links are only intended to be a search aid and not advertising. Otherwise we will have more advertising here, not just model building links. Personally, I prefer to listen to an experienced model maker and if he shows me a link to what he thinks is a good product, I am very grateful. Let's enjoy this beautiful hobby and have respect for each other. Because even the best model builder (I'm not one of them) can still learn something new.
Liked by Len1 and RNinMunich and
#18

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Roy,

Thank you for your input. I frequently watch "marktwained" on YouTube. He is a captain on one of the Mississippi River towboats and has a lot of videos posted. Everything from scenes along the river to a tour inside the boat. Many topics like turning a "tow" of 40 200 ft barges, loading, docking, radar, GPS, and a lot more. One recent video were about not only the propellers chewing up logs and stumps, but a steel channel marker (bouy).
Lew
Florida, USA
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by Len1 and Nickthesteam
#14

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Very noble intentions, heartfelt congratulations.
The three topics mentioned also follow these same intentions.

Very noble interest.
This is also my interest.

Establishing what are useful and useless things is not my concern in this forum.
I'm not good enough, expert enough, ingenious enough to write it here.
I refrain from these haughty judgments.
Even if I were on par with excellent minds, expert naval modelers, absolute geniuses, I still wouldn't write it.
I prefer a bit of humility to boasting, "in my opinion".
Liked by Wolle
#13

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

I created this subject "Propellers (scale, scale, scale)" with the intent to help primarily new and inexperienced scale model builders make decisions on determin the propeller(s) for models.

I'm sure that this subject was covered in the past by others but with their points of view. It will probably be covered again, and again, and again as tigoes on. on.

So Mr. SPQR, your reply to this subject is not helpful "in my opinion".

My interest in Model-Boats.com is to share my experiences with others as well as listening to other model boat builders resulting in everyone enjoying this wonderful hobby.

Lew
Florida, USA
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by GregHiltz and RNinMunich and
#12

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Greetings to all modelers.

I wanted to make a clarification.
I don't deal with economic issues.
I have no financial interest in the world of modeling, for me it is just a hobby.
Furthermore, I don't know any of the sites I mentioned nor have any ties to them.
Inserting any link is very common in this forum.
I wasn't the first to do it nor will I be the last.
A link is inserted to be useful to someone and facilitate their search. That's all.
I thought that an organic list (and as complete as possible) was much more useful than various links dispersed in various topics and different messages.
In fact, some members of this forum have thanked me both publicly and privately.

However, thinking that the summary link (which I attached in my last message) is limited to just the list is reductive.
Reading there, there are many topics covered on naval propellers that I wanted to group together and which can be useful to everyone.
In fact, I didn't understand what need there was to create a new topic, when there was another very recent one that dealt with the same generic topic and two others on more specific aspects.
However, everyone is free to do as they wish.

Finally, I believe that if a ship modeler wants to support an initiative (such as calling ship model houses) he should do it personally and not delegate to others.
Wanna do it? Do it yourself.

Furthermore, any commercial initiative is the sole responsibility of the administrator of this forum, fireboat.
It would be inappropriate and rude to invade his field and his prerogatives.

Just a thought.
Liked by Nickthesteam and Wolle
#11

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

(Duplicate)
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
#10

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

How about rather than member posting a list of their favorite links for propellers and other supplies, those suppliers advertise on Model-Boats.com? This way this site could be supported by pertinent advertisers and should the business cease or decide to otherwise stop advertising the listing will go away. Sure, I understand that many of these business are teetering on staying in business, so a site like this should offer them some sort of payback.

In this world's economy ever Dollar, Pound, Euro, etc., counts. Some of your are lucky to have well organized clubs with membership fees. I have to foot the website costs for two clubs so all have a free membership.

So rather than listing a bunch of suppliers on this site for FREE, how about contacting those suppliers and suggest to them some sort of financial support for a listing on Model-Boats.com? I'm sure Stephan would be open to that. (Perhaps another tab under the Main Menu like "Advertisers"?)

We still could continue to suggest a source in response to questions received here, especially where some items are hard to find or have unusual characteristics not normally found in model boat listings.

Just a thought.

Lew
Florida 😜, USA
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by RNinMunich and Len1 and
#9

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Happy Sunday to all naval modelers.

For those wishing to find other useful information on naval propellers: characteristics, history, anecdotes, manufacturers, selection criteria, materials, differences, personal opinions, etc. etc. you can consult the link at the end of this message.

As regards the choice of naval propellers, everyone has their own ideas on the matter, so it could be interesting to read them.

As regards references to online manufacturers, thanks to the kind and valuable information of the modelers of this forum (such as RoyCV, Toradog, ChrisF, Wolle, DWBrinkman) there is also a list of naval propeller manufacturer sites.
For the moment it is very current and useful but we will try to keep it updated.
If in a few decades some site will not be reachable, never mind; we'll get over it.

I hope I have done something pleasant, especially for new members (who in a few years will not find the messages they are interested in on the front page).
In any case, for any question, even if asked a thousand times, there will be no problem answering it again (at least on my part certainly).

https://model-boats.com/wiki/137058
Liked by jbkiwi and hermank and
#8

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Brass Propellers are very abundant in various styles and sizes, and I stock over 1200 in 2,3,4,5 and 6 blades, in standard, and high torque style, from 3/4" dia. to 4"., from Raboesch/Rivabo and Prop Shop.
Message me on here, or join my FB page
Greg's Model Boatyard for more info.
Liked by hermank and Nickthesteam and
#7

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

My list of current, started and unstarted projects/kits will probably out live me I have that many, although I am a mere boy at 68. Onwards and upwards as they say, my philosophy is that as long as there is something to do and a goal to achieve, then life will prolong it's self. If that makes any sense. Anyhoo, I must now return to the immediate task at hand, find me b****y tv remote. I had it before I fell asleep. Re propellors, Prop Shop here in the UK make practically every prop in the known universe....
https://www.prop-shop.co.uk/
If it don't fit, use a hammer to make it fit....
Liked by AlessandroSPQR and Len1 and
#6

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Hi Lew, congratulations and hope you enjoy the day. Only the best last this long and I already know what your feelings must be! I am 86 in a 4 months time and have come to the conclusion that, you get on with it now as things will not improve later.

Much to the chagrin of my son (me in UK and he in Oz) I have about 50 model boats around the house and garage and I shall not last for ever and he is going to have to do a big clearout at sometime.

I have 6 models to complete or start plus a few that fell by the wayside. Not easy to fit in with shopping cooking and kip in the afternoon!

Still, life is there to be lived, so just enjoy it.

I miss a few of our members like Nerys and a few more, so keeping on keeping on is the name of the game!
I forgot, then there is the model railway which needs an overhaul!

Best regards for your birthday.
Roy
Liked by Len1 and LewZ and
#5

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Roy, tell me about it! 3 days and I will be 8 decades old. (I can't bring myself to say that number. ) Lew
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by RNinMunich and jbkiwi and
#4

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

OOPS! sorry Lew pictures great, as I get older confusion can strike at any time!
Roy
Liked by Len1
#3

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Roy, I did not post any videos in my post. Only pics. Lew
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by Len1
#2

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Hi LewZ interesting. As you say there are many types, but always interesting.
I have a couple of Billing Mary Anns and another one to build. The kit comes with a simple 2 blade prop, which is what the full size boat would have. But they are so inefficient they would have to spin very quickly to give any speed, so substituted with rather too modern 3 blade ones. Who knows? Well you and I would know but accept it as a 'choice'.

In another thread I mentioned Kort nozzles and the close fitting props. When in use on Towboats in the Mississippi delta they jammed up when a log got caught. When this happened the props were changed out for an old 'spoon' shape and this ground the logs up and no problem.

I have some props I will never use as they are surface piercing ones and operate half in, half out the water.

I bought a patrol boat (HDML) from a friend's estate, it had never worked properly. It had a prop shaft with 3 supports and it was always in friction. I opened up the exit tube bearing from the hull slowly with a reamer until it freed up. I changed the motors to some commercial Pittman ones (lovely motors) and the boat ran with hardly any current (0.75 amps on each motor) and had a nice bow wave.

I usually look at fellow modellers choice of props and only comment if it is a positive one.
The videos in your post did not work for me.

Regards
Roy
Liked by Len1
#1

Propellers (Scale, scale, scale)

Propellers are a common subject on this forum, from determining the right size, shape (various features), and material. Finding information on this wonderful forum can be difficult as previously noted, but that is not critical as it is difficult to keep current. Links often do not work. Also, repeated questions often bring fresh ideas as answers.

Information on propellers sources may not always be correct and sources often change as suppliers cease business, sell out their rights, or other reasons. Yes, there are a few "oldies" that are still in business. But trying to keep up with sources is often in vain. How many times have you looked on a source list only time find no links. After a few years, possibly 50%?

I found that the best way to determine the right propeller for a boat is to look at the concept of the real boat being modelled. If you are modelling a specific boat try to replicate the original's design and size. If you are building a conjecture boat, try to find a similar real boat and see what they use.

Throw the "calculations" out! If you are building a scale boat, well... use the scale propeller. Look at the RTR model of the Atlantic tug. What a tiny propeller, probably about 1/3 the size of what it should be. But this RTR typically model moves [too] fast because of the RPM. So, I guess that if you use the SCALE propeller you can adjust the speed to at least look scale.

The next step is trying to procure the propeller. The easiest way to to search the internet to see what is available and the cost (if that concerns you). "Buy before make" is often the preference, but not always the case.

My first RC tug (1973: 42 inches long, 35 pounds) had a propeller that I made out of copper, three blades soldered to a cylindrical hub. It worked great. No hobby shop in rural Florida (back then) had anything like it.

Now move to the current time. I rarely buy propellers unless they are part of a "deal". I design and make my own. Isn't that the ultimate goal of a scale modeler? I am running several propellers that I made on my 3D FDM printer with absolutely no signs of failure. Screw the brass and copper screws! Pretty on a model but not necessary unless you are running a high speed runner. I use ABS as it is quite durable and can be easily sanded as well as cement-welded.

The photos show my Graupner Wiesel. First is after the 3 to 4 prop conversion. Second is the real Zobel class boat's propellers. Third is a photo of one of the real props. Fourth is my 3D model. Last is the printed set which I have yet to install and replace the Graupner standard props.

Lew
Florida ☀️😎, USA
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by RNinMunich and Len1 and

Sign in to add to this thread.

Advertisement — Remove ads with a membership

Sponsored

With over a decade of knowledge from thousands of members, this website has become the leading resource for enthusiasts all over the world. If every visitor donated a single pound or dollar, the website's costs for the year would be covered within minutes.

By donating or subscribing, you'll become an honorary member, receive a medal and have full access to the website without adverts or restrictions!

You Will Be Helping Towards:

  • Domain Fees
  • Security Certificates
  • iOS & Android App Fees
  • Website Bandwidth
  • Server Backups
  • Upkeep & Maintenance
  • Administration Costs

Without your support the website wouldn't be what it is today. Please consider donating towards these fees or disabling your ad-blocker to help keep us afloat.

Support this website Make a donation

Delete this post?

It will be removed from the site.

Discard this draft?

Your draft will be deleted and cannot be recovered.

You have an unfinished draft

What would you like to do with it?