Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for installing rotatable, free standing turbine blades upon a rotor, includes coupling a locking device which substantially conforms to the curved arcuate surfaces of the blade to the bottom of the blade, and thereafter inserting the blade and locking device within a serration formed in the surface with the rotor, the combination being inserted from an inlet side thereof. A tapered shim is then inserted between the locking device at a relieved portion thereof and the bottom of the serration from an exit side thereof. The shim is tapped into place until no root movement occurs, thereby securing the blade within the serration, and preventng galling of the blade root portion or damage to the blade by eliminating the necessity for tapping the blade.