Stainless Steel Propeller Shaft Material Grade??

[Darin Jordan]

Can someone please tell me what grade Stainless Steel is generally OK for use for making propeller shafts? Is 303 OK to use?? 316??

I'll need to be able to drill it in a lathe, if that factors in.

Thanks,

[JimClark]

I have tried this stuff

http://www.mcmaster.com/#stainless-steel-precision-shafts/=e5acu4

Used to get it small parts but not available anymore thinking of changing to .125 drill rod from mcmaster carr

[detox]

I know that "drill rod" is tool grade steel.

[Darin Jordan]

I know that "drill rod" is tool grade steel.

Thanks guys, but I'm not trying to make a straight-shaft. I need to just make the "stub-shaft" (propeller shaft) for a wire-drive setup.

Jim, that's the McMasters page I was on, and they sell what I'm looking at in two grades, 303 and 316. Looks like 303 would be easier to drill. My question is concerning whether or not 303 is hard enough for this use, or weather I need to go to the 316??

[detox]

Why stainless? Aren't all aftermarket propshafts were made from drill rod or similar steel and not stainless.

[JimClark]

Probably would be just fine for what you are doing. I use it in my 1/10th solid shaft and it is a little soft for a 13 inch long shaft but a stub should be just fine
i think I have a some short pieces you can have to try

[detox]

This website may help. Thay have all kinds of rod. Here is their list of different drill rod types and uses. They are located in WA
http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=267&step=2

[martin]

Ive found a mixture of materials used, Octura use Stainless stubs along with others as well but i also have some that are not stainless but rust is not really a problem as i take them out & clean & regrease every time i go out. I also make my own wire drives using both materials for stubs,Stainless is more of a job to drill deep as it picks up more on the drill so you have to go steady with feed on the drill. I also dont worry to much about rusting because of taking the shafts out regularly + i use piano wire for the wire shaft so theirs no point in worry about the stub rusting. Martin.

[Rumdog]

303 stainless wil work great. I made a large lot of prop shafts a while back for wire drives from 303. Drill rod wont work worth a damn. You cant DRILL drill rod. It is way too hard.

[Rumdog]

BTW, they are still a pain to drill however. And I used a swiss type lathe.

[detox]

Lots of good info on the web.

http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe/Materials/materials.htm

[Jeff Wohlt]

303 is the best for stubs and if you want easier drilling use 410 or 416 but it does rust easier. Just more sulfur in it.

I can center drill 1/8 stubs...do it all the time.

[mappo]

Can someone please tell me what grade Stainless Steel is generally OK for use for making propeller shafts? Is 303 OK to use?? 316??

I'll need to be able to drill it in a lathe, if that factors in.

Thanks,

Try some 316l its the most corrosion and strength or 304 for easier drilling.

[martin]

Yes i use 1/8" stubs & drill then 1.2mm x 30mm deep, You deff have to keep drill feed down on these small diam holes. Martin.

[Darin Jordan]

303 is the best for stubs and if you want easier drilling use 410 or 416 but it does rust easier. Just more sulfur in it.

I can center drill 1/8 stubs...do it all the time.

Jeff... What do you use for a bit when drilling this stuff??