Shaft material

[JimClark]

Was looking into using .125 drill rod for my 1/10th scale shaft but I have no idea as to how one would cut it to length? Anyone ever used it for shaft?

Jim

[Basstronics]

You can cut it with a dremel cut off.

Depending on the quality/grade they get pretty darn hard.

[befu]

dremel

I used spring wire and cut it with a reinforced cut off wheel on the dremel. Softer than the drill rod, but those wheels will cut a drill bit, so....

then I deburr them on the disc sander.

Alright, a scale with a solid shaft, yeah!!!!!

Or is it just the prop shaft in the strut.

Brian

[Jeff Wohlt]

Better pull it everday as it will rust fast! I would use SS to be safe.

[JimClark]

Yup a solid straight shaft
Jim

I used spring wire and cut it with a reinforced cut off wheel on the dremel. Softer than the drill rod, but those wheels will cut a drill bit, so....

then I deburr them on the disc sander.

Alright, a scale with a solid shaft, yeah!!!!!

Or is it just the prop shaft in the strut.

Brian

[JimClark]

It does get pulled everyday I never leave things together after running.

Jim

Better pull it everday as it will rust fast! I would use SS to be safe.

[T.C.]

Would that be to brittle ?
Piano wire has alot of flex, drill rod is very hard, isnt it?
Dont know just asking?
T.C.

[blackcat26]

Drill rod is very hard. You probably won't be able to do anything to it other than cut it to length without a heat process to draw its temper back. I agree with Jeff a good SS will be best. 17-4 ss is good and 304 ss both have decent corrosion resistance.

[Basstronics]

You can cut it and grind flats and such.

You wont thread it.

If you happen to hit something in the water it may possible break off. Where as the SS shafts will probably just bend.

[m4a1usr]

Would that be to brittle ?
Piano wire has alot of flex, drill rod is very hard, isnt it?
Dont know just asking?
T.C.

Extended twist drill bits are not all that hard. And what Jim wants to do is an old trick those of us who came from the nitro/gas side of the fence were used to as the norm. An extended drill bit comes from shaft material that has been center less ground to a close tolerance shaft. Very uniform and straight. And they can be had in stainless by the way. Most twist drill bits are somewhere in the number 5 hardness. Not soft, but by no measure hardened like a socket cap screw that has like a number 9 or 11 hardness. Those break. A drill bit will still bend before it shears or breaks unless its of small diameter and theres mucho force behind it.

John

[Jeff Wohlt]

Acutally McMaster is showing 2 to 3 weeks. And I used to buy it from small Parts but can't find it on their site now.


That is only IF he actually gets the drill bit version. There is stddrill bit rod shaft I can get at ace hardware and it is not center ground. A shaft like that will cost you more than a SS shaft. McMaster can have you one there in 2-3 days.

Heck, dubro and others make the shaft and tube WITH oilite bearings in each end for next to nothing. Then you have the setup. Might even check hobbylobby RC in the boat section. Any hobby shop carrying dubro can get it for you...1/8" shaft or 3/16".

Look around before you spend more when not needed.