[GladesGuru]

brass rod is a cheap source of shear pin material. I have an ancient 7.5 hp air cooled outboard and shear pins are produced with brass rod and a saw.

Bolt cutters also work but sometimes the ends need a bit of a touch with a file if the shaft hole is a tight fit to the rod.

[Kenny Bunk]

Damn you GG, I was trying to hide the fact from the young fellow that when I take out a shear pin it is NEVER before the ancient propeller is mangle-blade toast. As a carefree youth, I early on confused small outboards with roto-tillers, and there comes a time when one just plain runs out of shear pin propellers and there ain't no more..

Alas, I am no stranger to something like that "African Queen" sequence where Humphrey Bogart has to make a propeller in the jungle. Hint: Wooden mallet is best. Easy on the heat. Hump was working with iron.

In future, FReepers, refer all mechanical guru type questions to well ... a a a like, you know, guru. Take over GG!