Hi Everyone My HO-V62R Dimona prop has just been done by Eric Weston. It cost $3790 (plus $100 shipping) and had to have the spindle modification done. The labour content was $2337 (28.5 hours @ $82/hr).
Eric does not replace the leading edge phosphor-bronze strip, just filling the dents, etc, instead. The paintwork is not very exciting. The mechanical work seems excellent with the pitch set fractionally finer than before, which is OK as I can now get an extra 150rpm in fine! The previous service was done by Skycraft in the UK who provide an exchange propeller so there is no downtime, but shipping costs alone would have been more than $600. Best regards Michael G From: Ian Williams Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 3:56 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [DOG mailing list] Hoffmann propellor overhaul costs... Hi Dudes, We had our prop overhauled for the 109 about a year ago by AAP and the cost was around 5K NZ (including freight and all the other costs) They made a good job installing the 8mm rods. However a couple of things 1) The driving plate had about a 2mm runout which I thought was excessive. So using a DTI I got it down to about +- 3 thou by adjusting the lock nuts If any of you know what the tolerances are there I would be real interested to know 2) The prop was "stiff" ie when "manually" feathering it then letting go, it would not slip back easily into the fine pitch position. In flight it was difficult to get it back into fine pitch. As if the new rods in the new nylon guides had insufficient clearance. Best regards Ian WIlliams NZ From: John Mason [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, 11 October 2009 7:21 p.m. To: [email protected] Subject: [DOG mailing list] Hoffmann propellor overhaul costs... Greetings again everyone. I've just had GJD's prop in for overhaul at Australian Air Props in Bankstown. Looks like they've done a fair bit of work to it. The labour component on the account was 28.5 hours. All up, the bill (including GST) was just over $3670. ($2422.50 for labour). My question is, does this sound like a reasonable amount of time to spend on the work? I've no issue with the parts or even the hourly rate; I understand it's demanding technical work that has to be performed just right. I also fully understand that the guy is signing his name (and reputation) to it. But I'm a bit puzzled by the hours; would it take over 3 working days to completely overhaul one of these 3 stage props? Does this sound reasonable? I'm going to pay; I did send him the prop and he has done the work, but I just don't know enough about this side of owning an aircraft to know if the amount of time he's spent on it is reasonable, or if I''m being taken for a ride. Any help would be much appreciated. John Mason Leeton VH-GJD No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.9/2428 - Release Date: 10/11/09 06:39:00
