It’s been a slow couple of build days and I’m hoping to get some more solid work time in the shop, albeit more social events coming this weekend and Monday (sigh).

I was able to get a rather intricate task knocked out in the cutting of the prop blade notches in the Catto carbon fiber prop spinner.

I started by aligning the prop blade notch template with 2 of the 4 screw holes that are currently installed on the prop spinner and flow guide… the screws visible on each lower, outer edge in the pic below.  With my cut line known, I then placed green painters tape under the cut outline of the template to draw my cut line.

Here we have the cut line marked on the prop spinner, again spaced on 2 of the 4 pre-existing screw mounting holes (pic 1).  I then used the Fein saw to cut out the first of two prop blade cutouts for my Hertzler Silver Bullet prop (pic 2).

It took a good 45 minutes (yes, that long!) of measuring and aligning the second prop blade cutout in relation to the first, while simultaneously keeping it “centered” and aligned with the last 2 of 4 pre-existing screw mounting holes.

When I finally took the plunge, uh, literally, with my Fein saw to cut out the second and final prop blade cutout/notch, I had my fingers crossed (and a quick prayer) that my measurements were right.  Yep, measure 17 times and cut once . . . and Voila!

I was fully aware that my prop blade notches would most likely be tighter than they will be in final configuration, but better to remove material on final fitting than having to add eh?!

Moreover, I’ll note that in all these gratuitous installed prop spinner pics that the top cowling is NOT mounted in any way, and is merely loosely placed in position.

Here’s one more side shot to provide a general idea of how the prop spinner will look once finally installed.

Ok, tomorrow I am planning to get some good progress on both prop spinner final configuration AND oil check door hinge-to-door reattachment.

Limping along….