Stuffing box

[Phil BrowneParticipant @philbrowne39943]

[Phil BrowneParticipant @philbrowne39943]

On my boat plans the notes say cut grooves in the keel assy to allow for the stuffing box.

What is a stuffing box?

Edited By Phil Browne on 28/02/2013 16:09:05

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

It's the tube with a bearing at each end into which the prop shaft fits, so-called because it is often "stuffed" with grease to prevent ingress of water.
DM

[Phil BrowneParticipant @philbrowne39943]

Many thanks that makes sence now

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Oh Dave so near and yet so far.

The correct engineering explanation is as follows:

In a common type of stuffing box, rings of braided fiber, known as shaft packing or gland packing, form a seal between the shaft and the stuffing box. A traditional variety of shaft packing comprises a square cross-section rope made of flax impregnated with wax and lubricants. A turn of the adjusting nut compresses the shaft packing. Ideally, the compression is just enough to make the seal both watertight when the shaft is stationary and drip slightly when the shaft is turning. The drip rate must be at once sufficient to lubricate and cool the shaft and packing, but not so much as could sink an unattended boat.

I imagine that you can be forgiven because as a humble electrician how can you be expected to know of such elevated subjects.

Paul

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

(OK Paul – here goes

That may well be so, m’duck, but this being a model boat forum I thought I’d restrict my reply to within that parameter.

I never cease to be depressed bored amazed by the breadth of knowledge shown by other members of this august assembly, but I often wonder whether the replies given say more about the replier than the subject. I reckon the example above is a dead-heat.

You stuff your box with square cross-section flax impregnated with wax and other lubricants and turn your adjusting nuts if you want to, dude. I’ll stick to Waxoyl ‘cos it works for me.

And “humble”??? We need to meet………………

Captain Fluxite

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 28/02/2013 19:19:27

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dear long suffering Dave

"I never cease to be depressed bored amazed by the breadth of knowledge shown by other members of this august assembly, but I often wonder whether the replies given say more about the replier than the subject. I reckon the example above is a dead-heat."

You are far too polite and obviously have had a decent upbringing as a proper gent especially by avoiding the open door inviting comments on where to place said stuffing box.

All set for Manchester?

Paul

Have the clips arrived.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Ho Ho Chaps!! I will just pick myself up from the floor where I have fallen as I was LARFING so much.

Dave was obviously replying in a model boat sense, and hence the lack of reference to square section string.

Stuffing box, not referring to my film again eh??

Ashley

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

No clips yet. I am a man of infinite patience…………….
DM

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

We had a similar debate way back in 2009 on the same subject

Here's my Stuffing Gland….

In the old days, before my tyme of course, Engineers called a spade a spade!

We had the Stuffing Gland, Grease nipple, Ball cock, Stop cock, Big end, Tupping bar……etc

The terms used to cause a few titters in the Typing Pool!

Bob

[Andy StonemanParticipant @andystoneman15177]

Don`t forget to put the pin in the locknut and Don`t tighten the locknut too tightly or it will be a proper stuff up, ……..

Andy

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

I prefer greased nipples – but that is for another forum !

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