How propellers are made

[@Smokey2-2016_USMC]

As always, I am amazed at the perfectionist way you build your beautiful propellers. It's a pleasure to watch your grandfathers duplicating lathe at work. The product in its balancing stage I'm sure is very time consuming as you stated. Your commentary during the whole process has my undivided attention. Thank you for the wonderful videos. - - R.

[@CulverProps]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@ricklong]

Thank you once again Alayna for a beautiful and interesting video. I’m glad to see vintage equipment still working and doing the job it was intended to do.

[@CulverProps]

Thank you!

[@sharkeyist]

Do not go cnc!! Keep the old skool alive!! Just discovered ur channel, love the way you work, just doing it right, the way 100’s of years has proved effective, y look to change what works, old machines, old style glue, perfect props. 👍🇬🇧👍

[@CulverProps]

Thank you, I absolutely agree

[@davidl.579]

Blades are your only upgrade you keep on top of. Find a local tool and cutter grinding shop and see what they have to say. My guess is that they would say " man thats the HOTTEST airplane propeller maker I've ever seen". Excellent vids so keep them coming!

[@gavinjones3637]

Change to a CNC? If it ain't broke, don't fix it! So glad to have stumbled across your videos. I'd always wondered how props were made.

[@cropduster48sady46]

The process, and your skill, is absolutely a thing of beauty.

[@CulverProps]

Thank you!

[@davidmajersky1969]

I love watching that lathe work :)

[@peterismobiel]

I just love that copy machine. I can watch it for hours.

[@willmorrison1022]

That is an amazing piece of machinery. And I absolutely understand you not wanting to "upgrade". Such a thing is not always actually an improvement. Whoever invented that machine was a brilliant and amazing thinker. Glad to see that you are still using it. What an absolutely cool thing to do for a living!

[@mippymoo069]

This is a really cool machine never seen these before.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Alaina, It's so relaxing watching it cut a blank. I agree no need for CNC and it's learning curve when you have a perfectly fine operating machine. Hope you and the family had a nice Thanksgiving and stay safe. Hi to Grandma. :-)

[@CulverProps]

Thank you! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving also!

[@echoewest2685]

Fun to watch, thanks for sharing!

[@CulverProps]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@woodworker4063]

Wow, the dust extraction really works well 👍

[@CulverProps]

Yeah, it really does considering how much comes off

[@kenmunn4421]

You do real nice work…

[@tundrawhisperer4821]

This is just too cool! Nice work lady’s. 👍🏻

[@davidcampbell2845]

mesmerising, old fashioned craft work. Brilliant.

[@jessedanner3460]

Nice setup

[@patrickslattery8092]

That's a modern descendant of a Blanchard duplicating lathe, you can see the original at the Springfield Armory museum in Springfield MA

[@Rickmakes]

I love watching CNC machines carve parts but this replicator is even better eye candy.

[@CulverProps]

I agree, there is Something very mesmerizing about it.

[@marttimattila9561]

That rotation changer would be something to see. Many says no one makes them with hand nowadays only CNC and after that they dont ever make any props.

[@CulverProps]

I do!

[@joeromanak8797]

That’s just cool. Great work! 😎👍

[@periocarlos]

Uniqueness is part of the job. I particulary like close and personal.

[@user-tl5fi9lz9z]

I could watch for hours. You should make more and longer videos. (Please?)

[@CulverProps]

Will do 😁

[@StonehouseCinema]

I think two saw blades would be a lot cheaper than CNC bits. They are easy to sharpen as well. What a great machine

[@hadighaemipoor6354]

Beautifull job and nice music l hope l can to find It,s macker

[@josephzawodny]

Your skill is incredible. I am a veteran woodworker (75+ in yrs). I've built wooden boats and lots of half models. Making an aircraft propeller is one project I have yet to tackle. Question, is there a way to make a prop without the lathe you have? Could it be done by hand and how difficult would it be? Plus, do you sell any plans for templates of your props. This is a skill I would to try. Believe me, I am not in any business or in any way would I ever attempt to do this as a business. Before I leave this earth, this is a skill I would love to master. I have a son who is an aeronautical engineer and this would be a perfect gift for him. I realize your designs are proprietary and you may not answer my request. At the very least, do you know of any texts or books I could use to educate myself with this project?

[@CulverProps]

It can be made by hand, but I have never tried it

[@jbb5470]

I admire that you are staying with the tried and true methods rather than chasing technology! Wondering about those springs on your machine. Do you have replacements? Are they critical to the making of a prop? What type of dust collector do you use in the process of making props. I Enjoy your work and videos, always great! Thanks for posting

[@CulverProps]

I should probably get some ordered, but I am sure they come from McMaster Carr. I use a system from Grizzly, they are old and still going strong

[@twobears1224]

Do you have a source for the saw shafts?? I,ve looked all over and can,t find any.i need some to make a trim saw for my sawmill.

[@johna1160]

Impressively efficient dust extraction. Wondering if hub area needs to be carved with hand held tools.

[@CulverProps]

This does a great job

[@kevinmcenhill2656]

How do you make the patterns? Your company has been around for a while so you would have a stash of patterns to work from but how do you make a new pattern? Oh, and about the CNC question, this machine is paid for!

[@CulverProps]

We make the new patterns ourselves. 😁 and yes, I like my debt free machine

[@andygray9285]

Thanks for the video.

[@king2042]

CNC Machines have a place in the world no doubt about it but, so does craftsmanship, skill and the passion to producing something by hand. I think most of your customers would agree.

[@CulverProps]

Trying to talk my dad into building me a second bigger lathe. and I might want a CNC for my bolt patterns lol but thats a little bit down the road. lol that would be their place for me

[@gikar1948]

Do you ever give a tour of your shop? I would like to see your fascinating duplicating machine in action.

[@CulverProps]

Just to people picking up their propellers. 😁

[@danhurst4100]

Fascinating machine. What is the actual time to create the copy?

[@CulverProps]

About 2 hours

[@danhurst4100]

@@CulverProps I would love to duplicate your machine, on a smaller scale, to carve my guitar necks. Like you, I don't want a CNC. :D

[@josephmaschari1073]

Thanks for the video, a good one. How long dose it take do one side?

[@CulverProps]

Depending on the size of it, 17-35 ish minutes

[@aubiejazz]

What do you do when you need a new pattern or master model? I notice that a lot of wood is removed, do you do anything with the wood chips? Thanks, I love your channel!

[@CulverProps]

My neighbor uses them for his horses 😁

[@hasletjoe5984]

Fantastic work! Question, what if you do not have a pattern to copy? Do you copy something close and free hand the difference? Thanks for the videos!!!!

[@CulverProps]

Yes, I will cut a pattern off an existing pattern then use Bondo to shape it the way I need. 😁 good question!

[@sonofkarachi2341]

Salute your work ::

[@Edyth_Hedd]

I love seeing how stuff is made, especially when it involves some "old-school" tech that was invented by someone out of a specific need. I assumed that the blades were going to be shaped on a fancy CNC machine. Nope!

[@CulverProps]

I do love my lathe!

[@edwardhasiak7961]

Why are you getting a serrated edge at the tip of the prop?

[@CulverProps]

Because of the sharp tapper of the profile

[@deezynar]

The saw blade cuts a rectangular profile as it spirals along the propeller. There is no way for a rectangular cutter to follow a curving contour and not leave an irregular surface. A closer surface could be had if the blade was narrower, but a narrower blade would take longer. Not only would a narrower blade take longer, it would still leave an irregular contour that would need to be refined by hand. There are tradeoffs to be made, and the way the machine is now is the result of decades of experimentation and modification. In other words, this is probably the best evolution of the machine that it can reach.

[@edwardhasiak7961]

@@deezynar Thank You.

[@H4rleyBoy]

I think you could maybe make one of two improvements fairly easily, first, does the saw baled have square teeth or are they staggered dog teeth, or you could use a router to give a less sanding option, just needs a bit of adjustment on the top part of the lathe, love the glamourous Duct tape on the saw. oops, I wrote at the beginning of the video, but I'll leave it there.

[@CulverProps]

Lol, thank you

[@casparberends2719]

Very nice video. I did notice quite a bit of distortion in the sound. Sound too loud for the mic?

[@CulverProps]

Not sure, videos and technology are not my area of expertise. I just try to share a little propeller knowledge. 🙂

[@casparberends2719]

@@CulverProps No worries, really appreciate you sharing your knowledge

[@RetiredPilot]

Every subscriber should share this, she should have 50K subscribers based on the content of her work. JMHO

[@CulverProps]

Thank you. ☺️

[@panzer6398]

Modern equipment has a lot going for it but history and familiarity are worth an awful lot.

[@CulverProps]

😁❤️

[@brianknecht3216]

When you say “a right handed prop” are you referring to direction of rotation? If so, is that clockwise?

[@CulverProps]

Yes :)

[@warbird_1]

now that is cool!!

[@jetblastjim]

You ever make just rough cut/ unfinished props for home builders to finish on their own?

[@CulverProps]

I have made one for decoration purposes

[@JohnJones-cp4wh]

@@CulverProps Back in the Fifties I made a barometer set on half a propellor off an Airspeed Oxford. Mahogany or similar was the wood.

[@persiantestkitchen]

wow so cool

[@ferolcat2009]

Love the vids and the production process. I'm curious why the props are made from glued planks and not a solid log of wood.

[@JohnJones-cp4wh]

It gives it strength and the varying grain gives a bit of flexibility.

[@quietwoodworking]

How accurate is your tolerance from the original?

[@CulverProps]

Very close

[@theideasman6018]

I no nothing about this mashine but it looks to me like the feed is abit quick or is their a reason. I want to make one : )

[@CulverProps]

It works well, I am sure my grandpa had a reason. Lol

[@theideasman6018]

@@CulverProps if you start from the end of the prop when in the mashine. will it make a cleaner pass. Could save time maybe ; )

[@drewmog123456]

Did I see the upper disc jumping near the start?

[@CulverProps]

Yes, that prop was really fat and I had to stop it and sand it down

[@suabroboro]

What glue do you use to stick wood?

[@CulverProps]

Dap Plastic Weld Wood Resin

[@MurraydeLues]

The cost of digitizing your library of templates, the purchase of a suitable machine and then learning how to use it would kill the company in mere months. The varying amounts of material removal would cause endless grief. I run a CNC machine for a custom door business and doing 20 or 30 different jobs on one day is not the most efficient use of the machine. Stick to what works for you. The satisfaction of the end result is enormous.

[@CulverProps]

That’s what I had concluded by the tiny bit I know about CNC, it’s nice to have that feed back from a pro. Thank you!

[@addictedtopussy69]

From a Cnc machinist to another, i don't understand why someone would talk someone out of cnc. they sell very affordable 3d scanners to digitize her templates. A click of a mouse can make it longer or change the twist rate and sent to the cnc machine instantly. Storing all those templates in one computer file folder is a lot easier to manage than a large room you have to sift through. Cnc is faster, saves you more time and more money and more props made. I doubt these pantograph type of machines i see here would hold tolerances of .001 thats repeatable in any large scale run.

[@MurraydeLues]

@@addictedtopussy69 Up to a point I agree with you. However looking at how the company operates, it would potentially require a lot of changes. More laminating capacity, finishing, staff etc. Is the market there to increase capacity to allow a reasonable ROI on the set up, purchase and training on use of the software and machine? One thing Alaina has said numerous times is the pleasure she gets from the shaping process. The company I work for builds custom doors. With 6 manual staff, it is not big enough to supply me with a continuous work load for machining. The other really important question is "How comfortable is Alaina with computers?" I have no idea and don't wish to assume anything. I am retiring next year and only one of the current staff has shown any interest in learning my machine. There is a shortage of staff in NZ who can do operate wood CNC machines at anything other than a loader/operator. I think it is horse for courses. I love the work I do but am glad the operating costs are on someone else's dime.

[@addictedtopussy69]

​@@MurraydeLues sure you can do it this way because you enjoy it and thats something you can't put a price on. But don't expect to compete with shops that have cnc machines or they will run you out of business because CNC machines can do it faster, cheaper, and more efficiently. Its like racing an old Model T vs todays Ferrari. Once the templates are in the computer, it doesn't take much to make a few tweeks to it which i think anyone who is not computer savy can easily learn in a day or two. Think of it as extra tools and skillset.

[@georgef7754]

I'd call it an analog CNC machine.

[@CulverProps]

I like it!

[@rjc0234]

CNC just means there is a "computer" controlling it, and that there is an input, an automated process and an output. in this case the template is the input / code, the follower moving the saw (and other tweaks) is the process, and the saw blade being moved is the output. This is 100% a CNC machine because it is variable and automated. Its not a "creates 1 thing" no matter what machine like a die stamper, and is able to do a process without much human intervention.

[@periocarlos]

Very didatic! thanks

[@vanveat9722]

👍♥️🇰🇭

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Stick with what works

[@gonzo5912]

YOU ARE DOING JUST FINE THE WAY YOU DO THINGS I JUST WOULD LIKE YOU TO FIND SOMEONE TO TIGHTEN THE MACHINE UP AND MAKE IT LIKE NEW. JUST SAY NO TO CNC

[@CulverProps]

It could probably use a little TLC

[@willmorrison1022]

@@CulverProps A little bit of rebuilding and it will be up and running for another hundred years. Well worth the investment.

[@claytonlemieux4090]

I am a woodworker and understand rocking chairs lamination makes a stronger rocker is this the same in props why don't you make out one block of wood

[@CulverProps]

Smaller laminations let’s me see if their are any defects in the wood, and they are stronger, and easier to obtain

[@robertcloudman3676]

CNC may be one of the most important advancements of the industrial age. That being said, it sucks at performing a process with any variables. What she is doing is the very definition of variable that finds itself ultimately grounded in art forms long past. And you can't find a better pair of hands to do it. Grandpa said so.

[@CulverProps]

Thank you! ☺️ I appreciate that!

[@CulverProps]

Thank you! ☺️ I appreciate that!

[@controllineprecisionaeroba7454]

Too bad you don't make 3 bladed wood props for the RC airplane world to

[@shameer100]

Price

[@gonzo5912]

YOUR GUARD IS HITTING THE PROP AT THE START, JUST NEEDS TO BE CLEARANCED A BIT.

[@CulverProps]

Yeah, I cut out the part where I took a grinder to the prop 😂 but it cleared after that

[@Кастамарский]

Ваще бьютифул.

[@jennitro]

I like the "not going CNC" attitude for this. A lot of people don't believe it, but introducing a computer to the equation doesn't necessarily improve the process. In your case, it would very much add unneeded complexity for little or no benefit. One cool improvement that would definitely be an option is to be able to adjust the arms of each side of the blade/pattern follower on a bit of a lever system. That would give you the ability to scale patterns up or down without creating a new pattern. I think that would be cool (but not necessarily useful).

[@CulverProps]

Thank you! Yes that would be a neat option!

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

Props built by blonds. Done the old fashion way. There is nuthin' wrong with that.