Topic: grease and prop shafts (Read 7989 times)

slewis · « **on:** July 31, 2007, 09:45:00 pm »

Ok my first build is getting close to completion and hopefully I can finish it this week and get it wet . I have 2 things on my mind . First off and most important is that I was told by someone who sailed model boats years ago to make sure I fill the prop shaft with grease first . OK I can see the sense in that (water ingress and the rest) but wouldnt it put drag on the shaft ? Or do you more knowledgable types have a special grease you use ?

Second one is down to me really . I need to find somewhere to use it ! Live in Stourbridge , west midlands and the Stourbridge club (according to their website) will be no good to me as they sail during the week when I am working :-\ . Does anyone know if there are problems using canals ? I have one about 2 minute walk away .

Shane

DickyD · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2007, 09:58:12 pm »

Hi Shane I use Robbe silicone prop shaft grease in all off mine. Costs a bit but you dont use much. Speed hasn't suffered and all the boats are bone dry.
Plus its made for the job and it meets the regs.

slewis · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2007, 10:02:10 pm »

Thanks Richard

I will be sourcing some tonight and hopefully get it here B4 the weekend

Now all I have to do is get my insurance which I have been trying to do since I started building the triple a couple or three months back ! Whats up with them dont they want my money !

Shane

DickyD · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2007, 10:29:33 pm »

Shane if you have trouble getting the Robbe grease you could try this:

http://www.ontracks.co.uk/index.php?page=product&prodID=63457&catID=1143

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2007, 11:20:39 pm »

Shane,
An alternative prop shaft grease is fishing reel grease. thin and waterproof.
You might check your home contents insurance as SOME cover up to £5 million public liability.
OR
Join your local Model Boat Club, but ask about their insurance cover, most clubs include the cost of public liability cover in the annual fee, but check it covers you away from club water and even sailing alone.

Bob

Ghost in the shell · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2007, 11:22:33 pm »

I go down to halfords and use their autombile axle grease!

supersonic · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2007, 12:03:35 am »

hI Shane, I work in the motor trade and use Copperslip which is what the mechanics use for lubrication between brake pads and calipers, seems to be waterproof !

S

sinjon · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2007, 08:33:45 am »

Hello Dicky,

May seem a silly question, but do you pack the whole tube, or just a 'squirt' at each end?

Colin

Bunkerbarge · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2007, 08:43:11 am »

It is entirely up to you but I would always want to fill the tube so I would stick it in one end and keep filling until it comes out of the other end.

If you don't there is always a danger of having exposed shaft in the middle that could theoretically rust if you got any water there.

DickyD · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2007, 08:48:40 am »

Hi Sinjon
Remove the prop shaft, use medicine syringe or similar to put grease in shaft tube.
Put finger over end and push prop shaft in from other end.
Be careful how you take your finger off the tube as there might be a bit of pressure there.
You dont need to much grease as there is not a lot of room between prop shaft and tube.
Or you can do what I do, have prop shaft tubes with oiler pipes and put the grease in that way. The advantage with this is that you can do it with the motor running and you will notice a difference in speed if you over do it.

chas · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2007, 08:54:20 am »

Hi,
plumbers merchants sell little tubs of silicoln grease for a very reasonable amount, a tub will last for years.
Chas

chingdevil · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2007, 09:22:28 am »

I use a food safe semi-liquid grease, after I put it in the tube it gradually settles to the bottom half covering the shaft. It will completely cover the shaft and bearings as soon as the motor is started. If you put grease in that is too stiff after a while the spinning shaft will make a tunnel in the grease, which could mean unlubricated bearings or water ingress.

Brian

Faraday's Cage · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2007, 12:05:36 pm »

I use P.T.F.E. grease. A little pricey but does the job very well, including my fast electric boat. Doesn't clog and good at low temps.

As we all know PTFE - " The most slippery substance known to Man", allegedly.

Terry.

sheerline · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2007, 03:08:38 pm »

Faradays cage.. you are wrong there, Tony Blair was the most slippery substance known to man. Look how far up George Bushes' anatomy he got!

As a follow up (no pun intended), George had to go into hospital for remedial treatment!!!

Apologies for coming off the thread here but I could'nt resist it.

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #14 on:** August 01, 2007, 07:57:36 pm »

mick · « **Reply #15 on:** August 01, 2007, 10:04:39 pm »

Hello Shane, have you tried the Bourneville Model Boat Club, not so far from Stourbridge...I believe they are still active...Mick

slewis · « **Reply #16 on:** August 01, 2007, 10:14:50 pm »

Thanks Mick unfortunatley Bourneville would be about an hours drive from here even though mileage makes it look shorter. I have a few places to go look at ,including having a word with the lock keeper two mins away on the canal . He (as are most in this location) is known by everyone and everyone knows everyone else . Bit of a smallish area really . For Stourbridge read Stourton .If anyone starts humming the duelling banjos music

Ta for the thought though

Shane

tubby tomo · « **Reply #17 on:** August 01, 2007, 11:07:46 pm »

i solder a small paint tin onto the shaft after Ive drilled a small hole in shaft i put hypo id 90 oil in it last ages because its heave oil

slewis · « **Reply #18 on:** August 01, 2007, 11:09:58 pm »

Do you have a picture of that method Tub ? It intrigues me :)

tubby tomo · « **Reply #19 on:** August 01, 2007, 11:22:49 pm »

shane ill take some pictures and put them on mayham im having a bit of bother with pc at moment pc now ok i use hypoid 90 oil

grasshopper · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2007, 12:01:51 am »

Kathy's a very pleasant lady, a 'X' even for strangers!

tubby tomo · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2007, 08:27:26 pm »

hi shane do the pictures explain what to do

slewis · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2007, 08:58:50 pm »

Thanks for posting the pics TT :)

Now I understand what you were saying yesterday

Shane

Ghost in the shell · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2007, 10:41:36 pm »

Tomo, was that an old humbrol tin?

red · « **Reply #24 on:** August 03, 2007, 08:21:02 am »

There is another way , leave it dry. at the prop end use a piece of Teflon water acts as a lubricant, and at the top make a simple adapter and use a sealed stainless steel bearing. these are readily available very cheap as the Buggy boys use them just change it once a year or more often if it gets a lot of use. I used this on a tug that was a problem a few years ago no problems . the adapter needs to be a reasonable fit and can be as long as you want,I just used one grub screw and a bit of lock tight the shaft did have a bit of fall on it so the water runs away when not in use. I also have put a small felt block in or a bit of graffiti yarn as used in steam engines very lose fit this helps.

Fred

News:

Author Topic: grease and prop shafts (Read 7989 times)

slewis

slewis

supersonic

chas

chingdevil

slewis

tubby tomo

slewis

tubby tomo

tubby tomo

slewis

red