"Larry Smith" wrote in message
...
A year or so ago there was a thread about shortened aluminum prop blades,
especially on Sensenich props, going into flutter and departing O-320's.
And I recall that Rich Shankland decided not to use the bargain prop he
had
bought for his Emeraude.

That's correct, so I sold it for a wall hangar, with the warning that it
should not be used. Then later as I was talking to a fellow who, along with
several friends, were facing the purchase of new props to replace those on
their RV's which had been similarly shortened. He told me that they had
solved the problem by having their props harmonically tested, finding the
critical frequency, and placarding them for operation in that rpm range
(with adequate safety margins above and below the critical center).

I'm just as happy without it, though; as I like to be able to select "slow
cruise" rpm settings which would fall right at the common critical rpm
range. Another factor in my decision was that Northwest propellers declined
to inspect or magnaflux it, stating that they do not touch props which have
been modified beyond factory limits, due to the liability involved. This
prop was shortened something like 3" on each end - well beyond the factory
limits for that model.
]
Besides which, I paid $75 for it at a garage sale and got $375 for it on
eBay - as a wall hangar!

Rich S.