What type of metal file to file down jagged edges on Stainless Steel propeller?

[tcbass]

First I want to give a shout out to Hannays Marine in Minneapolis. I brought my prop in after I hit a rock and instead of just letting me pay around $200 to have fixed he said the damage was minor and explained how to repair it. That's the sign of a great store with great customer service. 

 

He said just bang out the bent parts and file down the rough edges and burrs with a file. 

 

So, I need to know what type of file to get. I'm assuming a fine grain but I'm not sure. 

 

What type of file do I need to smooth out this stainless steel prop?

[crypt]

any good metal file will work. I keep one in the boat with me in case I ding it.  any hardware store or big box store will have what you need. 

[david in va]

 an 8 inch flat wretched file will fill the bill

 

dang I put in flat b a st ard file

[tcbass]

32 minutes ago, crypt said:

any good metal file will work. I keep one in the boat with me in case I ding it.  any hardware store or big box store will have what you need. 

 

 

Dont they come in certain grains like fine or course?

[Way2slow]

I'm not sure what kind of prop shop said use a file.  Most don't want you putting a file anywhere near a SS prop.  The file can leave teeth imbedded in the edge and when they have to tig weld it, those pieces of teeth create problems welding it.  Normally a stone is used

 

The mill B A S T A R D file is the type file.

[tcbass]

21 minutes ago, Way2slow said:

I'm not sure what kind of prop shop said use a file.  Most don't want you putting a file anywhere near a SS prop.  The file can leave teeth imbedded in the edge and when they have to tig weld it, those pieces of teeth create problems welding it.  Normally a stone is used

 

The mill B A S T A R D file is the type file.

 

 

Thanks. 

 

 

I actually saw a video where the Evinrude guy (probably not actual Evinrude employee) uses a file to fix a SS prop. But he doesn't explain which file to use. 

 

Here it is:

 

 

[A-Jay]

This is what SS prop repair actually looks like.

Unless you have the tools & experience to perform this level repair correctly, I'd encourage you to take it to someone who does.

Also once you use a file on a stainless prop, it becomes very difficult to tig weld it if it needs repairs.  The file leaves contamination on the stainless steel,  use sandpaper instead.

 

A-Jay

 

[WRB]

You can passivate stainless steel by soaking the filed metal area in Coke Cola over night.

Agree a hard Akansas or diamond stone is a better option and a prop shop is the best option.

Tom

 

[WRB]

2 hours ago, tcbass said:

 

 

Dont they come in certain grains like fine or course?

They come in fine, 2 nd cut (medium) and bas tard (coarse) in standard flat files. 

Tom

[Catt]

PFERD CORINOX® files possess an exceptional surface hardness of 1200 HV (Vickers hardness), which makes them particularly suitable for use on stainless steel (INOX), heat-resistant steels and nickel-cobalt based alloys.

 

8" CORINOX® Machinists File • Hand (1 Safe Edge), Cut 2 will run you about $35