RCU Forums - Making propshafts

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Making propshafts

I am making a twin motor scale boat, and I don't really want to have to buy two propshafts, as they are very expensive.

I want to try and make my own, but have a slight problem. I can get hold of 4mm axle, and aluminium tubing for the outside bit, and I have a die for making the thread. My problem is that I don't know how to get/make bushes for the front and back of the outer tube. How do you make these, or where in the UK can you buy them?

Thanks,

cowana

RE: Making propshafts

Have a look in this site
http://www.towboatjoe.com/
I have used a similar method successfully for years. Good tip - do not use aluminium tube for the bearings. It corrodes and welds itself to the shaft.

RE: Making propshafts

Thanks!

As far as I can see, if tube has a 0.5mm wall, I will need 4mm solid brass tube, 5mm hollow tube and 6mm hollow tube. Where will I be able to get this from? (In the UK)?

thanks for your help,

cowana

RE: Making propshafts

Prop shafts , stuffing tube , stuffing box

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_46...tm.htm#4691539
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3149398/tm.htm

;)

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Umi_Ryuzuki

Take your prop shaft to the hardware store.
Ask to see the K&S brass tubing.

Put the first tube that fits, over your propeller shaft.
Put the second tube that fits over the first tube, and the propeller shaft.
Put the third tube that gits over all second tube and over all three.

Buy a tubing cutter
You will need solder and a soldering iron also.

When you get home, take the three tubes off the shaft.

From the smallest tube cut two 1/8th inch long pieces off.
Clean the inside edge out with an X-acto knife till the two pieces slide smoothly over the propeller shaft.

Cut two 1/4 inch pieces off the next larger tube.
Again clean the inside edgest so that the little 1/8th inch long pieces of the smallest tube will slide in.

Cut the third and largest tube to a length that will run from the motor, out through the hull and to the propeller. This should somewhat shorter than your propeller shaft.

Solder the two small pieces of tube flush with the end of the largest tube.
When finished, that tube will then have a small bearing at each end, for minimum friction, and can hold grease inside to keep water from getting into the boat.

RE: Making propshafts

I can see that with K&S tubing, there are two sorts, normal and thin-walled. Do you know how thick the walls are in each case?

cowana

btw, I have found somewhere I can get it).

RE: Making propshafts

The tubing has about 1/64 inch (0.4mm) wall thickness. the sizes gradiate at 1/32nd inch(0.8mm) steps.

RE: Making propshafts

Would it be right for me to get 4mm rod, 5mm tube for the bushes and 6mm tube for the stuffing tube?

RE: Making propshafts

My method was to go to the metal bar in the shop, start with the shaft material of choice, and pick tubing that telescope fitted as required.
I just used ordinary superglue for fitting the bearings- if the metal is cleaned and abraided this works very well. The soldering is needed if you want to fit an oiling tube.
The general method is very similar to tat shown above, but I used relatively thick wall tube for the bearings.
For smaller scale models, I have gone over to brass rod for the shaft and short lengths of cotton bud tube for bearings epoxied into small diameter drinking straw for an outer.
I usually either use the kit props or make my props the same way as towboatjoe and solder or epoxy them on the end of the shaft as appropriate, or solder a brass nut of the size required for a moe conventional fitting.

RE: Making propshafts