Just wondering what I need to do to get the APC17x6 prop off the shaft of my Saito 180. When I mounted the prop it was tight, but I did'nt realize that it would be so hard to get it off. I'm sure that someone out there has had the same problem. Thanks

LOL wiggle it off

If worse comes to worst a simple bearing puller will get it off. Inexpensive from Harbor Freight and well-stocked hardware store or auto parts dealer.

Pliers on the hub and then turn the prop counterclockwise.

Grab the thrust washer with a pair of pliers and hold firmly while turning the prop

Support the prop from behind, like in a vice. Hold a block of wood on the end of the shaft and tap with a hammer. You know the thing about "Get a bigger hammer . . ."

Use the pliers. The Saitos are have metric shafts , get a metric prop reamer and you wont have this problem again.

PLIERS!!!!!

Either those or a small pipe wrench

Thomerson's reply sounds the best if you don't want to mark up the thrust washer or any other part of the engine. If you mark the engine, you will look like you have no appreciation of fine machinery.

Just my $.02 worth

Easiest way I ever heard of was to just lean the motor out too much. The Backfire should spin that prop right off.

Sit in front of the plane with your feet against the tail assembly and pull as hard as you can on the prop. Just hope the prop comes off before the tail assembly does!

If that don't work try one of the above.

....clamp the engine in a vise, and chop the prop off with a fire axe. [sm=stupid.gif]

Put it in the freezer. The metal will contract more than the prop.

What i have done is use vice grips, but i lay a piece of popsicle stick on the teeth so not to mark the prop hub, then just back the prop off.

No -- it's a big 180 -- use a BIG PIPE WRENCH!! [X(]

PLIERS!!!!, VICE GRIBS!!!!!!!!! PIPE WRENCH!!!!!! Please dont' ever offer to work on my engines. Those tools were made for butchers and shade tree mechanics. Whats an APC 17" prop worth? Certainly not more than screwing uo you engine with butcher tools. I'd try to find a way to lock the crankshaft from turning by removing the back plate and using a wooden dowel or similar to lock the crank and then turn the prop. That failing I'd cut the prop off. It would be a $5 lesson learned to ream the next prop hub before you install it.

Vise Gribs?

$5 lesson... try more like $17 those bigger props get expensive... What I find works (If you don't have a bearing puller) is to use two clamps and a block of wood... put the block of wood in front of the engine aginst the shaft and put one clamp on each side of the prop, tighten each clamp at the same rate and that will pull the prop without breaking or bending anything.

You got the message!

You're right on the prop price. I've been lost in 10-6 land to long. Still beats the cost of butchering an engine with VICE GRIBS! But I do like your idea about getting that prop off the shaft. Now how about putting the engine in a bench vise with the prop laying across the loose jaws and hammer on the end of the shaft with a ball peen hammer?

kind of tough to get to the back plate if you cant get the prop off to get the cowel off to get the motor out.
I made an assumption it was in a plane and has a cowel..with a Satio 180 i assume a decent assumption.
Covering the teeth of the vice grips with wood i have not mared anything to date.

One of the best and safest ways to lock up an engine for prop removals is to place about 2 feet of cord down the plug hole. This will prevent the piston from rotating to TDC as you unscrew the prop.

I like it.

This may sound stupid, but, what if you could start your engine in reverse and accellerate it until the prop breaks loose? I told you it would sound stupid. If you try this, please stand behind the airplane. Who knows where that prop will go.