Do I need a Flex ferrule?

[rcboatlover]

Hi I'm almost done with a boat and wanted to know if a Flex Ferrule is really needed? The drive line is .187 cable that runs threw the hull to a strut set up for a submerged prop. Do I have to use a Flex Ferrule to connect the flex shaft to the hardened steel prop shaft, or can I just splice the two together with a piece of brass tubing and solder? I don't want to use the Ferrule because it's larger than the diameter of the strut and looks out of place. Is splicing them tegether like this normal to do?

Thanks for the help!

Dale P.

 

[Mike Hughes]

If you don't want to use the ferrule than I suggest you get a cable that is predone. One that is solder already. This would be the cheaper route. If you try the brass tube, you will have a problem getting the cable into the boat. Beside it can be kind of tricky soldering the cable to the shaft. They make shafts that have a hollow for the cable to slip into. These are the ones for soldering. If you don't get it right, you might lose your prop, shaft, and drive dog in the drink. Octura make a smaller ferrule also. You can call Gary Preusse of G&M Models and have him get you one. He lives just down the road from Octura. He can also set you up with the cable too. 630-279-2451

Mike

 

[rcboatlover]

Thanks Mike,

I have used the one piece shafts before and liked them, but not the price! There $38.95 plus shipping from Rocket City Racing.

I really like the idea of using a prop shaft with the center bored out, but they don't make one for a flex shaft larger than .130 .

Your right though, Octura does make a smaller Ferrule, I'll have to see about getting one. I guess I still worrie about the Ferrule comming loose. You still have to solder one end, and lock tight the hell out of the set screws.

Thanks for the input,

Dale P.

 

[Mike Hughes]

I don't lock tight the set screws. I use a harden hex driver to get them tight and lose again. Most of the steel allens don't stand up to the pressure that you put on them with the ferrule. Most of the time you will round the corners over, which inturn ruins the set screw also. Dynamite makes one that they sell at your local hobby store for $6.95. I have a full set, metric and standard. They work awesome on the small hex heads. I think you can get the predone cables from Prather. They run about $18 for an 18". Check you local hobby store.

Mike

 

[rcboatlover]

Thanks again for all the help. After looking at every thing again last night I decided to get the welded one piece shaft after all. It's just a "play" boat and I was trying to keep the cost down, but the one piece shaft will be alot easier to use in the long run.

Thanks again,

Dale P.