Guys,

I have a question. Has anyone used a 3/16" hex shaft to start a turbax fan unit? I have the Bae Hawk and dont want to cut a big hole in intake duct to use the standard starter. I will most likley go to sears and buy a few 3/16" allen keys and make my own starter probe because no one sells the 3/16" shafts.

any ideas?


Jason

Jason, it will start just fine once you make the shaft. Be sure the allen bolt is loctited solidly on the engine, since it is trying to unscrew itself during starting.
You should be able to make a shaft by using some a 1/4" rod or stiff tube (like stainless steel brake tubing). It would be nice to have a coupler machined to secure the hex key to the shaft. If not, perhaps you can push the hex into the tubing and 'hammer' the tubing into shape. You could secure it with a little epoxy too. Or you could adapt some brass tubing to do the job.
On the other end we've have used a normal prop spinner for the starter cup to engage.
Of course we used brass tubing on the outside of the shaft to hold onto during start. Put a little dab of grease on the hex end too, to minimize wear.
I'm sure there are other ways to do this as well. Good luck; that .46 is a fun, strong engine.
Jim

I saved somebody else description on how to make one some time ago.... Here you go

You can build one for under $20.00.
1/4" piano wire.
brass tube to fit the piano wire.
small spinner about 1 1/4"
Allen L shape tool that fits your spinner nut ( get from Sears or a good hardware store they come as single ).
Two nuts and washers to fit wire.
These are all the parts that will need to put it together. I forgot my wand once so I run to the hobbie shoppe and made me one in 1/2 hour, instead of using a plastic spinner I used a shaft counterbalance the one you put on the engine shaft it will fit the 1/4" piano wire tight, no need of welding or anything.

Choose your length once you have it ( about 20" long ) cut the wire.
Cut the Allen tool at the turn and clean it at that end 'till it shines to get a better grip ( Dremel tool works well ).
Do the same to the wire.
Now cut a piece of brass tube to fit over the wire and the Allen tool ( about 4" long ).
Solder the Allen tool, wire, brass tube make sure this is very strong and that there is no gap between the wire and the tool ( use a small torch ).
Now you should have a wand with no starting cone.
You need to secure the cone, you can do this by ( welding, threading this end of the wire ).
OK, next clean the wire and add some kind of lubricant.
Cut and slide the brass tube to fit the wand , leave enough room for the spinner, you should have about 1" of room for the brass tube to move up and down the wire once it is completed.
You can use two nuts and washers to secure the spinner, one outside, one inside.
At the time of usage the brass tube will rest on the outer nut.

thanks for the info guys!