How Do I Get a New Prop Key ?

[Target9000]

Is it standard for a new propeller to come with a key or is it something that goes along with the prop shaft?

I recently had the boat yard remove our old propeller and was not given the key with the old prop and our new prop did not come with a new one.

What is to be done? Should I consult the boat yard or a machine shop to have one made? Would I have to bring the entire shaft with me to have one machined? Or are they a standard size.

Sorry for my supreme ignorance in this matter but this is the first prop change we'd done and I didn't see anything in the FAQs on a few prop manufacturer websites.

In case it isn't clear, this is an inboard diesel for a sailboat being fitted with a fixed 3 blade prop. I did get 2 of the prop shaft nuts back, one being a castle nut.

[svcambria]

The new prop is usually machined with a groove that matched the shaft it will fit on. It is hard to believe that the vendor who sold you the new prop didn't inquire about what size slot to machine. Go back to your shaft, measure the slot width, go back to the prop machine shop and have them grind that size slot into your new prop, and get a key from either the prop shop or any other machine shop - they are common items...

Michael

[Unicorn Dreams]

It will be stamdard bar stock, like 1/4x1/4" or simi;ar. Prop shop should have them, if not, buy a 12" piece of stock and cut to length.
Should always have spares.

[Boracay]

Its possible that someone working on the prop dropped it and they were unable to find it.

If you ask and someone looks a bit sheepish I'd go for a discount on the bill.

I seem to remember one of my boats had a little set screw through the key into the shaft. Thought it was a good idea at the time. Probably cost all of twenty bucks to do when the shaft was machined

[perchance]

What kind of key? Is it a woodruff or a regular square key?

[Target9000]

Originally Posted by perchance

What kind of key? Is it a woodruff or a regular square key?

I believe its a square key

[Chief Engineer]

Castellated nut

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

Castellated nut

Who are you calling a castellated nut, Chief?

[capttman]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

Castellated nut

WHY???

[boasun]

Measure the keyway of your prop to be sure of its dimensions. Could be in either metric or SAE... And then buy the correct size bar stock.

[Chief Engineer]

Because

Nuts, Castle

[osirissail]

The OP had his key lost, his nuts are fine. Or at least I hope so, he would be in a world of hurt if he lost his nuts too.

[Target9000]

Originally Posted by osirissail

The OP had his key lost, his nuts are fine. Or at least I hope so, he would be in a world of hurt if he lost his nuts too.

Begs the question... If I am nuts, how could I lose my nuts?

[osirissail]

That's easy, - over-torquing can cause you to lose it. Or lack of sufficient cotter pinning usually results in lost nuts. At least that is what the squirrels tell me. . . remember the trouble that guy in the Ice Age movies got into over nuts.

[hellosailor]

If there was a spline, a key, and the yard lost it? That's their problem, ask them WHERE DID YOU PUT IT and when they say, ah, gee, we lost it...Send them to the machine shop to have a new one ground up.