Blade Construction Pics

[Boondocker]

The blades will make a 2.8m diameter prop.  They are carved for a TSR of 7.  The cord length near the root is 11" wide with a thickness of 2.25" inches.  2" stainless steal tape covers the leading edge.

[BruceDownunder]

Just Bloody beautiful work -as we say down here !!!.

Reminds me of my Oregon Pine set of 11 Foot blades-seemed a shame to paint them.

Best of luck ,hope you are rewarded with lots of "watts".

Bruce

[TomW]

boondocker;

Thanks for posting that! Nice looking set and good to see some thick wide roots like that. I live for these "I did this" posts.

Cheers.

TomW

[johnlm]

Nice work.  Always seems a shame to me that so much wood ends up as scrap on a set of blades like that.  What did you paint them with?

Johnlm

[vawtman]

Beautifull craftsmanship Boondocker:>)

[harrie]

very nice looking blades boondocker!! Looks like you have a nice well equiped shop too, which always helps.

[Dave B]

Boondocker,  

  I second Tom's comment about seeing some blades carved with the other half of the equation, wide root and more drop for greater twist. Those blades are beautiful and will really perform. I'm not sure what your application will be but they will start in a fart and will accelerate like a shot if not loaded down enough or limited with decent furling. Be careful, I carved my first 12' very similar and measured (AC frequency) verifying 800 RPM loaded in 60 MPH winds ! Couple coils came loose but the blade assembly held together, I swear by that Gorilla Glue  with screws too of course. Very nice work, keep us posted.  Dave B.  

[Nando]

Congratulations a job well done, they are beautiful.

Nando

[hiker]

nice......

and its no easy job if your just using hand tools...

but it sure feels good once your done....

did i say done...its like never ending for me..

have fun...  :}

[motoman465]

Beautiful blades!  You are quite the skilled craftman!

Todd

[Phssthpok]

Having lived Oregon and SW Washington all my life, I had never heard of "Oregon Pine", so I did a search.

According to Wikkipedia Oregon Pine is another name for the 'Douglas-fir' tree....of which there are plenty in my area.

This leads me to ask those who would know: Is Doug-fir a desirable wood to use for such projects? I can get as many free 8 foot 2x4's from work as my little truck can haul and if this is a desirable material for blades, then I might just have to get busy carving!

[TomW]

Phssthpok;

I am no blade carver but considering its free and as I have seen from using doug fir to build that it is often nice strong wood if a bit heavier than pine. It probably would be worth your time to try a set. Not sure if its hard to carve or not as I never tried.

I try to adhere to use what I have access to for cheap principle. For you, all it will take is some time and some free wood. A perfect combination. Laminate up a few blanks and put them away awhile. Could be a good indoor project in the winter.

I could put 8 foot 2X4's to work most of the time on projects perfect for studs. Some guys have all the luck..!

Cheers.

TomW

[Boondocker]

Frist prime, and then used outdoor Rustoleum gloss spray paint.