Flex cable

[profiveo]

do you run a liner on your cable? why or why not-thanks

[SweetAccord]

do you run a liner on your cable? why or why not-thanks

Some here on OSE will say they do while others will say they don't. You have opened a can of worms. Personally I do, why cause it's desingned that way, keeps the cable running true, provides support while running, and if there is any wear (and this is where members will say there is none) you can just replace the liner. The main reason to not use one is to apparently gain speed by less resistance caused by the cable running in the liner.

[m4a1usr]

do you run a liner on your cable? why or why not-thanks

Your going to hear both sides of the story and there is very little evidence to support eithers arguement of which one is better. And the reason for that abiquity is how well either design is built and the loading on it.

There are enough racers who use a teflon liner and are winning, and I dont mean oval. I mean SAW type boats, so if those guys are setting records against those who choose to use no liner then the credibilty of its advantage over the other seems a bit over exaggerated. I dont know of any setup where the guy with no liner beat the exact setup based only on having a liner.

But on the other hand no teflon is simpler, lubricated adequately it has very little friction and it should turn smoother then with a liner. My own opinion is that its all about how well the flex tube is built. Gentle, gradual bends. Perfect alignment on both the motor and strut side. And most importantly proper clearence in side the tubing.

I prefer my builds with a liner. Not all of my boats have it but its still my preference. Here is why. All flex assy are made up from strands of wire wrapped around a center section. That means the outside diameter has all these small wire ridges around the circumference. These ridges are semi smooth but in areas where the flex is always making contact with the liner they behave like little saws. Those are the areas of greatest friction. I like to take down those ridges with sandpaper. I chuck the rigid section of my flex in a drill press and literaly remove some of the outer wires material. It makes the outside smoother, easier to turn. Less friction. And I have never broken a flex assy all the while my drive lines turn freely.

Your going to get both sides of the story. As you should. Because its really all about building the setup right. Materials, mechanical support, alignment, proper maintenance practices and correct size for the power you are running. Just my 2 centavos.

John

[blackcat26]

Well said John. A very objective point of view there. I don't care for liners much because of the fit sometimes. I ditch them when possible but thats just me. It's more of a convenience thing with me more than a speed issue. John is right brass will have less friction than teflon there is no denying that.

[Rumdog]

I run without liner.
Why?
If it ain't broke, why fix it?
Just seems like an unnecessary accesory to me.
Grease is your friend. I've never worn out a cable or stuffing tube.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Noise is reduced with liners. Probably the only reason. Many FE used them but nitros have not for years. Electrics never had the power they do now...nitros have been running 30,000 rpm for years and will chew up teflon.

No that we have caught up with power and rpm, many FE do not see a need for it anymore.

Some I do and some I don't.