pcg33k

I was washing my boat yesterday and found that my stuffing tube was split in half and was being held together by the plastic inside. Its about an inch long and towards the rear of the the boat so I cut it off. Could I still run the boat with the stuffing tube shortened or do I need to replace it? I haven't had a chance to take some pictures of it yet. I'm in the process of patching some cracks and I want to do some painting but since I have the boat a part I'm just wondering if I should replace the stuffing tube or just leave it.

Dockman

How much did you cut off?

pcg33k

About an inch as soon as I get a chance I'll post a picture.

Dockman

I would'nt think an inch would hurt???

pcg33k

Here's a few pics

LawHound

To be on the Safe side I would replace the Stuffing tube Something caused it to split. I would think the part you cut off was helping Support the Drive Shaft. now it has less support and you have more space of unsupported drive shaft between the end of the tube and the Strut it may start to whip and tear the Bottom of the Boat up. Just my Thoughts and it is worth exactly what you Paid for it (nothing) Doug.

pcg33k

What would be the best thing to remove the epoxy holding the stuffing tube in?

LawHound

Now you have Asked A question I had hoped to never have to consider. I have not really thought about it but I suppose you can use A Dremel and some Sanding drums or some Ball Head end Cutters just be very Careful and do not cut through the hull or you will have a larger hole to Patch. when I built my Zipp Kitts Easy V I did not put the Epoxy on the Whole Shaft tube just some 1/2 inch sections down the length of the tube in case I have to change it out. But remember my tube is inside the Boat and goes through the Transom instead of through the hull. Doug.

dicko

Strip the boat bare & use a reinforced cut off wheel on a dremel to cut the stuffung tube flat with the hull as close as you feel safe without damaging the hull, then use a drill bit to gently drill out any excess.

jacob711

heat the tube up until the epoxy softens a bit and pull it out

dicko

That could work, use a soldering iron & heat from the inside of the tube, ie stick the soldering iron in the stuffing tube.

martno1fan

You need the tube to go inside the strut when you fit the new one or you can get really bad cable whip and destroy you hardware ,hull and your motor all in one go.
Mart

BMAD01

Your stuffing tube needs to go away completely. Heat is the answer to getting the old one out after you chip away some of the epoxy with a dremel. Your new tube should be replaceable. In the middle of this post is how I did a stuffing tube in a boat that had a Butch Block where I moved the engine foreward. Not exactly the same thing you have going on, but you'll get the idea. Good luck, Brian

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8526798/tm.htm

danielplace

From the looks and description I would have to guess he is running a ferrule in front of the strut. Not sure though. Either way the stuffing tube should end no farther than 1/4" from a ferrule and if running a
welded stub then it needs to be one piece all the way through the strut. Good idea to ditch the teflon liner as that space is better used to hold grease. When a teflon tube gets thin it will wrap up around the
flex and bind the whole works in there so tight you will never get it out. They run just as well and friction less without it.

pcg33k

Do all the flex tubes come with teflon liners? I have a solder gun but would using a hair dryer warm up the epoxy enough? Also I was gonna order the stuffing tube over the weekend but didn't know what size does anybody know what size to get? The length I'm guessing around 24" to be on the safe side and I could always cut it down if need be.

LawHound

Just go to your LHS and bring the Driveshaft with you look at the Brass tubes find one the Driveshaft will fit in Nicely and Buy it if you are using a 1/4 inch Driveshaft I think the right size is 3/8 inch but please do not Quote me on that. the Brass tube will be very long you can make more than one Drive tube from it. Just use the Drive Shaft and Grease it Librally or use A Shaft Oiler. Doug.

pcg33k

thanks I'll pick one up.

danielplace

5/16" is the standard size used for 1/4" flexshafts when used without teflon liners. If using a liner 11/32" is the proper size. You can also sleeve either the 5/16" with 11/32" or the 11/32" with 3/8" through the hull so if replacement is necessary in the future you can pull it out and slide another in. Most hobby shops and some harware stores carry the brass tubes you need. Usually K&S brand.

black talon

My Feedback: (5)

leave the stuffing tube where it is and sleeve it then replace the piece you cut off.

pcg33k

well after closer inspection it looks like it has been fiberglassed in. I started to use the dremel to get some of the fiberglass away but the cutter I was using was not doing the job so it looks like I'm gonna have to pickup a different type of dremel piece maybe I'll try a rounded type sander head. Does still heating up the stuffing tube still work? I also forgot to mention I tried a soldering gun to try to melt some of the glass, needless to say that didn't work.

Dockman

I like the sleeving part, seems like an easy fix.