Who Makes the Best Flex Cable? Custom Drilled Shafts?

[dmitry100]

Hey guys...

I've been hunting for some good quality flex cable lately-- came across 5mm Gundert (is this 4.75mm?), 4.75mm MTC (Model Center Lorenz), and the Hydromarine.de 4.75mm cable.
Which ones are the strongest and best performing cable out of all those that can hold up for SAW?

Do any of you guys know where I might be able to find 6mm shafts drilled for spring steel wire (2mm or 2.5mm)? I was thinking to try it out on one of my Twin cats...
Figured it might help in terms of high rpm performance over flex cable... or would performance gains not be that much noticeable over good quality flex cable?

Also, do any of you guys use Speedmaster or MTC struts for Twin Cats? I was thinking to use the flat bottom speedmaster struts on one of my cats... but it seems like 2 struts for a twin can prove to be a bit annoying to adjust and to keep water out. I was thinking to maybe use a piece of hose between the strut tube and the transom stuffing tube and do the same in the area between the flex cable, collet stuffing tube to keep the water out...)

[ray schrauwen]

The H&M and Gundert are 5mm not 4.75. Some of their stubs are machined down for 3/16" props.

All I know about H&M cable is that the 3.2mm or 1/8" basically is very rigid and uniform. I like it much more than the equivalent size of Hughey, Octura or Aeromarine cable. Last time I used H&M 3.2mm cable was in a 6S powered H&M Maritimo 36" ish cat, single Neu 1521-1000kv motor. The 1/8" cable had no issues handling that much power even though it was more a sport setup, it hauled the mail 10 years ago. I wish I could say the same for H&M's 3/16" cable (4.75"), I've never bought any. If you do try some I'd love to know if it is similar to their 3.2mm cable I have and is more rigid than the others I mentioned.

Sorry, never done twins, can't help you there.

[detox]

Make sure the prop shaft is soldered to the cable. I have seen the glued on (Loctite) versions fail.

[dmitry100]

How do you figure H&M is 5mm flex cable?

Their product page shows 4.75mm --> http://hydromarine.de/product_info.php?products_id=28

[ray schrauwen]

Sorry, I meant their stub shafts come in 5mm. Yes H&M sells 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" cable but, their stubs vary depending on your needs. Usually loctite 603 or 648 works to join them, they sell that too.

[dmitry100]

Come on SAW guys... !!! I wanna hear some opinions!! I'm sure every SAW guy uses or used at least 1-2 of those lol.

I guess I'll just order all of them, including the ones from Keith's KBB shop and see how they all compare.

Ray: How come you've never tried building any twins? Are you more into heat racing / hydros ?

[ray schrauwen]

Yeah, more into heat racing. I want to do a twin, have a plan and parts but, heat racing boats always push it back in priority.

[RCKong]

Wohlt's RC Boats makes good welded cables. http://www.rcraceboat.com/Storewiredrive.html

[dmitry100]

Ok thanks. Do you know if he makes custom size shafts (like 6mm) with custom drillings for 2mm or 2.5mm wire, etc?

[RCKong]

i just contacted him with what i needed and he was happy to help out.