How I fix broken props (and most other parts)

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acisne
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How I fix broken props (and most other parts)

Post by acisne » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:53 pm

I just got a couple of used planes from a member here. They were used and packed very well, but one of the props was broken in transit or I broke it removing it off the box. I have been using this method to fix broken side mirrors and wheel stubs on diecast and some of you may be pros at doing this.

Here is what I use: A box of pins, a pen drill, glue and some clippers. I found the drill at Hobby Lobby and it comes with several size bits inside of it.

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I drilled into the broken parts, push the pin into one of the with a drop of glue, cut the head of the pin and cut it to fit the hole on the other side.

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Put glue on the other end of the pin and push it onto the other hole. I have not glued it in this picture, and this will require a little but of putty and paint, but the fix will be stronger than the original piece.

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gliderdwm
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Re: How I fix broken props (and most other parts)

Post by gliderdwm » Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:58 pm

Great way to fix props Al.
Direct gluing never holds well. I need to get me one of those drills. I bought a set from Snap On Blue point but it is worn out. Time to make trip to Hobby Lobby

greendevil41
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Re: How I fix broken props (and most other parts)

Post by greendevil41 » Wed Jan 11, 2012 7:16 am

I used the same basic technique with brass rod to fix the broken landing gear on my Me-262. The connecting link and the attachment point on the landing gear leg were broken somehow and it is a heavy plane to start with. Definitely much stronger now.

Snake Man
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Re: How I fix broken props (and most other parts)

Post by Snake Man » Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:25 pm

I have used the same method using short pieces of appropriate diameters of aluminum welding rod as "bones". Works really well !!!

tmanthegreat
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Re: How I fix broken props (and most other parts)

Post by tmanthegreat » Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:47 pm

I used the same method on a broken prop that one of my 21c Avengers arrived with. Works very well.

I need to get a new pin drill (now that I know what to call them). I had one for years until the bit broke... It was incredibly useful for all sorts of repair and custom projects.
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

acisne
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Re: How I fix broken props (and most other parts)

Post by acisne » Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:07 pm

tmanthegreat wrote:I used the same method on a broken prop that one of my 21c Avengers arrived with. Works very well.

I need to get a new pin drill (now that I know what to call them). I had one for years until the bit broke... It was incredibly useful for all sorts of repair and custom projects.
I got mine at Hobby Lobby.

mikeg
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Re: How I fix broken props (and most other parts)

Post by mikeg » Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:22 am

I found myself having to use that method on a cia huey prop broken with the hub extension still in the blade. It seemed like a good deal on a return at a hilton head walmart- I didn't realize it was broken at the time. I used a brad/finishing nail and some good epoxy- the blade hang is comparable to the unbroken side and has held up for years- although I would not trust it to survive the shock of being removed from the hub

big_mike
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Re: How I fix broken props (and most other parts)

Post by big_mike » Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:29 pm

This thread was a great find for me because I finally have been able to repair a P-47 and a Huey I bought a couple years ago. Just a couple small notes which may be useful for others. Some stores refer to a pin drill as a pin vise. I couldn't find one locally until I stumbled across the different term, at which point I found 3 options. I also had a bit of a difficult time finding cheap or even suitable pins. I ended up buying a box of paperclips for 75 cents and cutting them down. That being said it was relatively simple even for a complete novice like myself. Thanks again.

gouchy
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Re: How I fix broken props (and most other parts)

Post by gouchy » Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:22 am

Thanks for the instructions acisne :D

This will be most helpful as I have a broken prop on my Spitfire
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