question about building a drive for a micro rigger

[kwiktsi]

I am building my 5 year old son a scaled down (17") Predator Rigger that will be running a small inrunner (about the size of the Eflite park 400) and am planning on just doing a low buck scratch built wire drive setup. The local store I get my K&S from only has brass wire, no steel. For a low power setup like this, can I get away with using brass wire in it or will it cause problems?

On the same note, if I decide to go solid shaft, all they have is 1/8 brass as well, no steel- would that work or is there a problem spinning a brass rod in a brass tube (galling or something)? Thanks.
Joe

[grsboats]

Don't use brass just go with .150 flexshaft.my 2 cents Gill

[Jeff Wohlt]

Brass is soft. I use piano/carbon wire. Holds up very well. Let me know if you want one built with 1/8" shaft. Wire drives are perfect for riggers.

[kwiktsi]

That was my concern with the brass. At the target power level, it would probably be fine, but I was concerned with it galling from heat and friction and causing problems. I ended up just going 1/8" straight on it using a piece of 1/8 stainless rod. I would have preferred an adjustable strut with a better exit angle, but couldn't get any wire here. I have a roll for making linkage rod and such, but didn't know how it would work for a drive since it has a bend to it from being rolled up. Besides, it's for a 5 year old, can't get too ocd over the build :). As long as it moves and is faster than his MG 17, he'll love it!

[Peter A]

Have you tried a music shop for piano wire, perhaps a heavy guitar string or similar.

[JimClark]

McMaster carr has piano wire

[kwiktsi]

Have you tried a music shop for piano wire, perhaps a heavy guitar string or similar.

Didn't think of that but there aren't an around here.

McMaster carr has piano wire

Yeah, I usually get all my supplies like that from them. I'm just in a rush to get this done for Friday and the weekend so my son can use it when his friends are here. I just made a 1/8 straight drive for it. It may not be the best performing, but it should suffice for him. If he likes it, maybe I'll build him another one. It only took a few minutes to laser the pieces out for it, so I can make another any time. I'll post some build pics in the micro section (didn't see that one when I initially posted this) tomorrow. Thanks guys.
Joe

[kwiktsi]

Boat is all done and works BUT will need the straight drive replaced. It pushes down on the nose and hops in the rear at full throttle . Going to have to make a strut for it and go wire drive or flex. Pics of the finished boat are here- http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...ilt-for-my-son

[grsboats]

the reason of these bad habbits is the excessive negative angle of your prop.take your time and install a Zippkit strut..the easiest way to have your rigger running good. On a rigger 1-2 degrees in the strut is enough! Gill

[kwiktsi]

Yup, I am aware of that- I was hoping I kept the angle shallow enough that it would function well enough for a 5 year old. If I had put a lower KV motor in it on 2S, it would probably have been fine for him as it is ok until about half throttle or so with this setup. I'm already planning out what to do with the drive. Thanks Gill!
Joe