Airplanes are bitchin machines, and were instrumental in the design and components used on some of the earliest hot rods. So it is no wonder that gearheads are often attracted to the cool shapes and lines that come on classic and military airplanes. And what’s cooler than the sexy wooden propeller hanging off the front of a neat old airplane? If someone asked what it took to build one, it would take a few minutes to think about all the steps and critical shaping that is required to make one from scratch. But now, you and I can watch one getting made, step by step, by two talented craftswomen from Missouri who build every single prop that comes out of Culver Props in Rolla, Missouri. I stumbled onto their YouTube channel and saw that they are starting a series on what it takes to make a new prop, and how the days progress during the build process.

I for one am excited to see what this cool prop will look like when done, seeing as it is made from several layers of Maple. Laminating wood like this not only produces a beautiful layered look, but also provides more strength and stability than if the prop were made from one solid block of wood.

Here’s Day 1 of a Propeller Build, we’ll share the next one as soon as it is posted!