Wire drive slippage

[BILL OXIDEAN]

Good morning gentlemen,


I'm new to big wire drives, I have one on a mono and it keeps slipping the coupler when the prop jumps out of the water a few times. I've thought of flattening a wire here it seats in the coupler, and suggestions how to keep those things fastened?

I'm 'bout ready to ditch it for a cable, I need reliability..

[Darin Jordan]

Bill,

What kind of coupler do you have??

If it's the set-screw time, then definitely put a small flat in the wire.

I've had very iffy results with the set-screw type couplers. If they aren't made correctly, the set-screw till not seat all the way against the wire.

What size wire-drive??

[BILL OXIDEAN]

Bill,

What kind of coupler do you have??

If it's the set-screw time, then definitely put a small flat in the wire.

I've had very iffy results with the set-screw type couplers. If they aren't made correctly, the set-screw till not seat all the way against the wire.

What size wire-drive??

Wohlts .062 wire and coupler..

[Darin Jordan]

Wohlts .062 wire and coupler..

OK, so basically the same stuff I've used. He makes his couplers fine. I'm sure he will recommend putting a small flat in as well. If it's a double-set-screw coupler, with the set-screws both on the same side, then make sure the flat is long enough to catch both of them. You DON'T have to make it a very "deep" flat... don't go into the wire too far. Just make it enough to give the screws a positive seating area.

You might ask Jeff, but it might help to flatten the set-screw ends as well, if they are the concave style. Just a quick blip in a sanding wheel is usually all it takes.

I put the flats in my wire using the flat side of a cutoff wheel on a Dremel tool... Just a quick pass or two is all it takes.

Hope this helps...

[BILL OXIDEAN]

Thanx for confirming. Any other suggestions welcome as well..

[martin]

Bill i seem to remember Jeff Wohlt saying put a flat on the wire when someone was having trouble with slipping, where possible the wire drives ive made i use collet couplings but thats not allways possible as you are restricted on coupling sizes with wire. Martin.

[Darin Jordan]

i use collet couplings but thats not allways possible as you are restricted on coupling sizes with wire. Martin.

For 1/16" (0.062") wire, I always use these:

1/8" to 0.062 wire

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...oct-ocfhe18062



Or these:

5mm to 0.062 wire

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...ct-ocfhe5mm062



Depending on the motor shaft size. NEVER have an issue with these...

[Fluid]

Wilmer, ditch the set screw coupler for a flexhex. From an engineering standpoint it is much superior: it grabs a larger area of the wire, you don't have to weaken the wire with "flat spots", there are no screw tips to cause stress risers, and no screws to loosen in the soft aluminum. I've used up to 0.94" wire in compression couplers without any issues. What size wire are you using?


.

[BILL OXIDEAN]

Wilmer, ditch the set screw coupler for a flexhex. From an engineering standpoint it is much superior: it grabs a larger area of the wire, you don't have to weaken the wire with "flat spots", there are no screw tips to cause stress risers, and no screws to loosen in the soft aluminum. I've used up to 0.94" wire in compression couplers without any issues. What size wire are you using?


.

I was actually gonna PM you on this..
.062

Randy despises wires, but I bet he's got that coupler for me, I'll call him..

[BILL OXIDEAN]

My uncle suggested flattening both sides of the wire, but only up where the top 2 set screws bite that way it only weakens the tip of the wire, but I'll probably just go flex hex ultimately..

[martin]

Yep thats the ones i use that Darin shows, thay hold very tight on the wire.

[Darin Jordan]

My uncle suggested flattening both sides of the wire, but only up where the top 2 set screws bite that way it only weakens the tip of the wire, but I'll probably just go flex hex ultimately..

That will work too (I'm assuming you have a set-screw on either side of the coupler??)... But you are going to get really tired of having to line up that flat every time... Go with the Octura style couplers... BOOM... done with it!

[Basstronics]

With opposing set screws you need only flatten one sude not both.

I dont like the octura. There are other collets for wires...

[Darin Jordan]

With opposing set screws you need only flatten one sude not both.

I dont like the octura. There are other collets for wires...

I'd be interested in seeing your links for other wire-drive couplers that you find better than the Octuras. Always on the lookout for quality equipment. Do share, please...

[martin]

Ive tried a number off collet couplings for wire & flex ie various stainless ones, Etti & Octura, i find the Octura a better coupling than the others because the Octuras are hardened. I find with most others ive use their not hardened & get marked up inside where the flex is held ecsecially if you do have a shaft turn in the coupling for what ever reason. It dosnt seem to mark the hardened Octura in the same way.