Is it from a prop or not.....

Laserlloyd · 15 January 2007, 01:03 PM

Here is bottom of a carved piece of wood the might have come from a Dr.I prop.
I know by looking at it that it doesn't look like a Axial because it only has three laminates.
IMG_1961.JPG
Is this from a prop? What do you think...

I will show the piece after your thoughts.

Lloyd..

dbahn · 19 January 2007, 06:06 PM

I've never seen a propeller that has laminations of different thicknesses, and if that central piece is over 1" thick, that also would be unusual.

Taz · 19 January 2007, 09:37 PM

Dave- The two Axial propellers I have seen measured had laminates of vastly different thicknesses. Both Dave Watts' and one measured by Franzkait. Surprized me greatly when I learned that.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Laserlloyd · 20 January 2007, 04:19 PM

Taz:

Do you think this could have come from a prop?

Lloyd...

Machinbird · 20 January 2007, 05:17 PM

I don't know if it is mandatory to use quartersawn lumber for propellers, but only the middle layer is quartersawn, the outer two layers are flat sawn. (Thanks Spadmaker)

Taz · 20 January 2007, 08:17 PM

Lloyd- No idea.

Taz
Terry Phillips

dbahn · 21 January 2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Dave- The two Axial propellers I have seen measured had laminates of vastly different thicknesses. Both Dave Watts' and one measured by Franzkait. Surprized me greatly when I learned that.

Well, that's interesting, and certainly plausible but still rare. I've owned over 100 propellers over time, most WW1 era, and have yet to see one like that, but there's certainly no mechanical or design reason not to make one that way. Most of the reasons for making props the way they were had more to do with economies of wood milling rather than mechanical factors, although there are certainly variations on that theme.