FILENAMES: proptool1.jpg proptool2.jpg proptool3.jpg proptool4.jpg proptool5.jpg proptool6.jpg proptool7.jpg proptool8.jpg proptool9.jpg DESCRIPTION: These are pictures of custom tool made to remove a large propeller. Posted by Darrell Daniels . The following description was provided: ================================================================= This is a tool for removing the propellor of an LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushioned) that was stranded on the beach in kuwait with sheared hydraulic lines in the prop shaft housing. The only way into the lines was to remove the propellor but the tool to do it (3 in existence) wasn't in the persian gulf with us and would have to be fedexed from the US and take a week. Since we didn't have a week, we made one from scratch from a socket, 1/4 in 304 stainless plate for the handle, 3/8 or 1/2 carbon steel plate for the gear and 10 inch pipe for the standoff. The only spec we had was the distance from the 1/2 drive torque wrench to the center of the prop to get the proper torque so we knew that distance and built it to that spec. And we had a spare nut to test fit it with, that's the white thing in the pics. Our machinist made the gear by hand rotating a rotary table because we didn't have a dividing plate that would do that number of teeth, we went with 3 rows of 10 teeth each 33 degrees apart to save time, we figured it would be strong enough to do the job, we wished we had time to heat treat the gear but we didn't. I was sure sweating those teeth coming off! None of us including the guy running the mill thought it would fit and that it would need extensive filing of the teeth but it fell right in the nut and fit perfect! It was funny, like six of us watching the mill the whole time, not saying a word, when it fell right in the nut we all hollered! then everybody admitted that they didn't think it would fit but nobody wanted to say it while it was in work. The handle was cut entirely with a miller spectrum 2050 from the stainless plate, the miller circle cutter and wheel setup allowed us to cut it perfect. We stitch welded it to prevent distortion. We jumped in the boat to the beach to take measurements around 9 am, grabbed the 1/2 plate and the spare nut from another ship and the right size cutter wheel. Got back about 1 pm and started work about 2 pm. It was completely done at 2 am that morning. Got it to the beach the next morning and the LCAC mechs had to pound it with a sledge hammer to break the nut loose, the teeth held! We called the company that made the real tool to see how much it cost in order to see how much money we saved by making one, they informed us that there was NO WAY any navy ship could make that tool and wouldn't give us the price. Too bad we didn't know that before we started that it couldn't be done :) This sort of thing goes on everyday on Navy ships, if we dont have it, we make it. pics are as follows... Proptool1 the handle cut from 304 plate Proptool2 the circle cutter setup Proptool3 torch in the cutter ready to go Proptool4 Viola 1 perfect circle, the outside of the circle, radius and straight cuts were all done with the plasma. Proptool5 Gear welded on tube and handle. Check out the pretty teeth. Proptool6 Tool and nut. Good shot of the inside teeth of the nut. Proptool7 Full body shot with nut. Proptool8 Shot of the props...BIG. Proptool9 Shot of the beast in action. Darrell