Vintage Gentleman’s Cruiser

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

Bob

That which will be required for the VGC. You know, the one this thread is about, the 10mm one !

Maybe it's me ?

Mike

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Sorry Mike

i can't do a drawing these days, because my Cad system doesn't work with Windows 7 for some reason

I can do a pencil sketch, when we get the dimensions from the Drawing Office

At the moment, the D.O.is not up to that stage

Basically, the propshaft will just be a larger version of a small one, but will fit a lube tube at the motor end, with a plunger to force the grease down

Bob

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

Thanks anyway Bob.

I'll leave it till later and get one made up by a pro when the time comes and finances allow.

Mike

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Mike

Its fairly easy to build a propshaft you just need some stud-bar a brass tube and a couple of capend / bearings.

When I have the chance I will do you a simple sketch and instructions (and where to get the bits) all you will need in the way of tools is a hacksaw, a couple of spanners and (maybe) a blowlamp.

Paul

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

Cheers Paul, " simple " sounds like my kind of instructions

Mike

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob / Mike

The propshaft on the Lady Jane will be a 10mm dia shaft inside a 12mm dia tube, the total shaft length is 700mm and the propeller diameter is 70mm.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

That's a big shaft Paul……Are we using it as part of the ballast?

2.75" Prop Shop prop has only an M4 thread

You are the expert, may be better to use a steel tube with inserts?

What revs are we talking about?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Paul

I've just bought TurboCAD delux 2D/3D

Only hope, it's the right one?

Bob

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

I agree, Paul, it is very easy to make prop shafts, I make all my own using 4mm stainless steel rod for the shaft and a suitable brass prop tube. I make the bearings from bronze, and usually silver solder a grease tube into the prop tube. Photo below.

Peter.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Peter.

Making odd size shafts is quite easy and can be fun. Its basically stainless stud bar and brass tube.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Peter

If you changed the grease cap to an internal plunger…..You can then force the grease down the tube!

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Bob. Why would we want to pump the shaft full of lovely drag inducing grease eh??

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

To keep the water out, old chap

Bob

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Bob, I fill the cap with grease using a syringe, then by sliding it over the greasing tube the grease is forced into the prop tube. It is every bit as effective as an internal plunger. When the prop tube is first filled with grease I use the syringe directly into the greasing tube, then top up as necessary using the cap.

Ashley, any drag created is absolutely minimal, and I have noticed no effect on motor performance. As I have said in the past, if I was operating high performance boats then any drag induced by grease may be a factor, but as all my boats are of the more leisurely type, it is not an issue.

Peter.

Edited By Peter Fitness on 30/05/2014 23:32:50

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Fair enough, Peter

The plunger is ideal for forcing oil down occasionally

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Ashley does have a point about grease inducing drag within the tube but this does depend upon the viscosity of the grease used.
For example axle grease, as used on HGVs etc. Is very dense and when packed into a prop shaft can grip and slow the revoloutions.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

This is good stuff **LINK**

Model Boat Bits (Steve Tranter) are at most of the UK model boats shows.

DM

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 31/05/2014 09:16:26

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

We have had this out before, the contentious "lubing the proshaft" old chestnut and so I am not saying any more as we didnt agree then , and now…..

Old motorcycle gearboxes were grease lubricated, mainly beacause they didnt have decent oil seals then. The theory is supposed to be…the box is half full of grease. The gears cut a path through the grease when the box is cold. When the box heats up, the grease melts and some of it lubricates the bearings as it acts like v thick oil. Model boat propshafts dont get that hot as far as I am aware so any grease in the shaft is simply clinging on for dear life and that in the bearing soon gets used up or emulsified in the lower bearing especially as mostly the shaft is doing (relatively) high RPM, unlike the gearbox in my Ariel Red Hunter that rotates once every lamp-post (old phrase used to describe Panther slopers for those in the know). Just as a thought.

I am not saying any more on the subject unless I really really really have to object to any UNREASONABLE alternative theories ( in my opinion, of course)….

For my money, stainless shaft and nylon (or whatever) bearings are the way to go, but each to their own, Not saying any more.

Ashley keeping shtum now

really really shtum.

not a peep

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Ashley
Try lanolin as a lubricant.

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

Ashley

What about graphite powder ?

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Graphite powder is an excellent lubricant but not very good at keeping the water out.
Paul

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

It does if you mix it with grease

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Mixing graphite powder and grease might produce a grinding paste.

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

Bob

What about Hexagonal boron nitride. instead?

Why do they sell graphite grease as a lubricant ?

Edited By lnvisibleman on 31/05/2014 13:37:00

[David Tweddle 2Participant @davidtweddle2]

Posted by Bob Abell on 25/05/2014 10:49:38:

Bob

PS…..What about those new fangled LiPo batteries?…..They can be very dangerous in Newbies hands

No real problem for me but… Will see… As for Steam well on to that soon as I now have the plan.

David

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