B-25 Mitchell prop carving question

[spook]

Hi guys,

I'm currently building a B-25 Mitchell uncovered display model. It is nearly done, i just need to carve the prop.... something i have been avoiding for a long time now. I tried to carve it out of a piece of scrap balsa i had lying around and the result was...well, a failure. I think the problem is that i have no idea how to start!!

The plan gives a front and side view of the prop blades. I tried carving the prop by plotting this out on the balsa but it looked nothing like a prop when i was done with it. What throws me of is the "twist" in the prop.

Please help!! if anybody has a step by step guide, this would be awesome!

Below is a picture of the model so far. Excuse the picture quality.

[Mitch]

I have carved a prop or two when I was a kid. I would suggest the following for a start...

1. Use a harder wood. Your local hobby / craft store should have Bass wood, I would start with that instead of Balsa wood. When I was a kid I just used a small scrap of 1x2 or something my Dad gave me. That would be fine also.
2. Start with the proper size, or cut down your piece to appropriate size.
3. Draw outline of prop on your block and cut to the outline shape.
4. Then I carved or widdeled away with a knife. This is where you will add the pitch of the blade.
5. When you get close to the shape, start sanding.

I hope this helps...sorry no pics, but I like the pic of you B-25... my namesake... Mitch

UPDATE: Just went to the hobby store and I could not find Bass wood as I suggested... I bought Balsa 3/8 X 1 x 36. I picked out the most dense piece I could find. It will be easy to work with. I cut it into 5 pieces just over 7 inches. I plan to make props for my 200 series WW1 planes. I will post my progress. M

[Charles_c]

Spook: I've never carved a prop from wood, but I have reshaped the red plastic props that come in the Guillow's models. I made a four bladed prop for my Spitfire Mk-Vb Floatplane. However, my LHS sells three and four bladed props, and the 3 bladed ones are easy to re-shape with a dremel. Here are pic's of the 4 bladed prop I made for the floatplane.

Charles

[Wildpig]

You might try looking on www.youtube.com There are some prop carving videos I saw there. They were for full scale propellers but, they might be helpful. The process is not that difficult but, would probably take several typed pages to explain.
If you can get a hold of the Don Ross' book, I think there is a prop carving chapter in there. I see that you are in South Africa, so I don't know how hard it would be for you to obtain a copy.

[spook]

Thank you very much for the replies guys. It has all been very helpful. I will weigh up all the options and give it a go!

[spook]

Thanks David,

So, can I assume that it is easier to carve the prop blades out of laminated balsa than carving it out of the 3/8" x 3/8" stock that is supplied in the kit?

Regards,
Spook

[spook]

It's the being able to tell where the center is that i like.... Thanks again.

[Mitch]

Heres my update on carving props... BUT I'm doing these for wood props... I like the whay Charles did his!



More than one way to "Skin a Cat"



That was ONLY a metaphor... I would NEVER hurt Trouble... I mean Treeble... Mitch