P-51 Prop Spinner

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:09 pm

Hey gang, just had a question about P-51 Spinners. I'm wondering how they are made? More specifically, how is the metal curved and welded(?) together? Thanks!

- Austin

The Inspector · **Posted:** Thu Jun 16, 2011 11:09 pm

Pretty much the same way that an aluminum pot is made. Start with a flat sheet of metal that's spun up to speed while being held in some sort of mandrel and then it's more or less pried by a skilled operator using a series of long pry bars with dies attached that are wedged against the side of the tool and wheeled into contour with what amounts to a big solid rubber tire on another long bar. The process for making a pot is shown on either 'Factory Made' or one of that type of programs. The trick is, don't let the shaper get you in a head lock!! :lol:

Tiger Tim · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:59 am

They did it like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ZWu9IURW4

-Tim

The Inspector · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 8:48 am

That be it! THANX Tim-

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:29 pm

Most excellent!

Thanks a ton crew...

- Austin Hancock

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 17, 2011 7:03 pm

Another quick question if y'all don't mind! What gauge aluminum should be used on the spinner? My blueprints say .021 alclad, but I can't find that size, so would I go with .025? Thanks again...

- Austin Hancock

The Inspector · **Posted:** Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:10 pm

I'd use .025 rather than something thinner and more likely to fatigue and fail. .021 was a WW2 era spec.

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:36 pm

The Inspector wrote:

I'd use .025 rather than something thinner and more likely to fatigue and fail. .021 was a WW2 era spec.

Ok awesome! Thank you!

- Austin

Jim MacDonald · **Posted:** Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:47 am

Thanks for posting that video, Tim. I always figured it was done using a hydraulic press.

Mac

The Inspector · **Posted:** Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:28 am

If you attempted to form or draw something that deeply, it would be all wadded up and cracked because the metal wouldn't be able to expand @ a constant rate and would just 'surrender' to the die forces and physics.

warbird51 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:18 pm **Posts:** 263

The P-51 Ham. Standard spinner nose cone measures out at .075" thick. Most likely the stock was about .090" or .100" thick when they started spinning as the metal thins out as it is spun.

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:43 pm

warbird51 wrote:

The P-51 Ham. Standard spinner nose cone measures out at .075" thick. Most likely the stock was about .090" or .100" thick when they started spinning as the metal thins out as it is spun.

Ah yes, that's makes perfect sense! Didn't even think of that!

warbird51 · **Joined:** Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:18 pm **Posts:** 263

hagkid91 wrote:

warbird51 wrote:

The P-51 Ham. Standard spinner nose cone measures out at .075" thick. Most likely the stock was about .090" or .100" thick when they started spinning as the metal thins out as it is spun.

Ah yes, that's makes perfect sense! Didn't even think of that!

I re-measured the spinner this morning. The spinner measures at the prop blade cut out at .065" instead of .075" as I said before. That's what happens when you measure without your glasses on!

The Inspector · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:57 am

Is that like golfing when it's foggy? 'that sounds like about 90 yards..' :lol:

AHancock51 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 4:22 pm

warbird51 wrote:

hagkid91 wrote:

warbird51 wrote:

The P-51 Ham. Standard spinner nose cone measures out at .075" thick. Most likely the stock was about .090" or .100" thick when they started spinning as the metal thins out as it is spun.

Ah yes, that's makes perfect sense! Didn't even think of that!

I re-measured the spinner this morning. The spinner measures at the prop blade cut out at .065" instead of .075" as I said before. That's what happens when you measure without your glasses on!

Ok cool, thanks!!

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