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How to Build an Airplane Propeller

An airplane propeller spins to "pull an airplane forward just as an airplane's wings lift it upward," according to Boeing. Though it is best to leave propeller building for passenger planes to professional aviation companies, you can build a model-plane propeller on your own. You can purchase metal, wooden or plastic model airplane propellers online for anywhere from $5 to $150 (as of September 2010). However, you can also construct a wooden propeller at home.

Things You'll Need

Saw
2-inch by 8-inch hardwood board
Chisel
Sandpaper
Varnish
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Draw the shape of the propeller on the wooden board. The propeller should be shaped like a long oval with a center that is slightly thinner than the edges. The length and width of the propeller and the thickness of the wood depends on the size of your model airplane. For additional guidelines, examine other model airplanes or ask a friend who is an expert in aviation.
- 2
  Cut the propeller out of the wood using a saw. Turn the propeller on it's side, so that the long edge touches the table. Chisel the edge of one side of the propeller, from the end to the middle, to create a "slanted" edge. Turn the propeller so that the slanted side touches the table and chisel a slanted edge on the other side of the propeller. These edges should be on opposite sides of the propeller. One slanted edge will be the bottom right and the other will be the top left.
- 3
  Sand the propeller all over until it is smooth.
- 4
  Use a paintbrush to apply wood varnish to the propeller. Allow this varnish to dry for about three hours.

Aviation