flex cable

[skinner]

do any of you guys know where to get heavy duty flexable drive cable like the cable used in a weedeater drive shaft only a lot stronger, I want a section of it run from a steering shaft to the steering box on a project that I am working on. I have seen this used in the drive cables on the motor driven (mechanical) post hole diggers.

[jniolon]

Skinner,

do you really want to use that for your steering connections ???
wife got a big policy on you and make that suggestion ???

I'd strongly suggest using universal joints and short shafts...
You can fab up your own from small u-joints from front wheel drive cars and solid rod stock... or Borgensen sells joints and short splined shafts that fit any steering box and column configuration... much safer I'd think

I used Borgensen to connect my GM column to a Volare steering box... only needed a ujoint at each end and one shaft... if you need a center ujoint you'll need a bearing support for the link or the ujoints will wrap up...

just my $.02

john

[skinner]

John

Thanks for the input but the u-joints and shaft wont work on this aplication. If I find the cable That I am looking for it will be plenty stout this stuff is used in helicopters and other industrial applications it is not like the trimmer cables.

My wife does have a good policy on me every now and then when I come in late I catch her going over it thinking that I might not make it home this time.

[FlashBlind]

Check a boat repair/ supply house for a push/ pull cable steering set up. The rotating cable system you mention is (I think) for one direction only. Seems like it could "Unwind" then bind in it's casing if torqued the wrong way under load.

[Scott V]

Skinner,I think your safe for now.I think it's the policy's you don't see is when you should start worrying!

[Hobart Expert Rock]

HI SKINNER................WHY NOT TRY THE LOCAL SCRAP YARD......... I FOUND SOME HOIST CABLE ONCE THAT WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE........ PLENTY LARGE ENOUGH FOR A BUCKET ON AN OLD CATAPILAR CRANE WE HAD ONCE............. I MEAN THIS STUFF WAS ALMOST 2" ROUND CABLE.............. WORKED EXCELLENTLY FOR A LONG TIME IN THE QUARY..................GIVE THAT A SHOT................ BE ADVISED THOUGH I ALSO THINK A PTO SHAFT WOULD BE SAFER............... BUT I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOUR PROJECT IS FOR YET........................BE SAFE NOW...............ROCK
SSCOTT@MILLERWELDS.COM

[Ed Heimbach]

Skinner,
Look for an advertisement for a two wheel drive trail bike called 'Rokon Ranger' or 'Rokon Trailblazer'. This is a utility cycle with a very large flex shaft that runs the front wheel.
Usually you can find them advertised in the back of outdoor/ hunting magazines.
The folks who make these things may be able to tell you where they get these big flex cables(1 1/8" OD, perhaps a flex cable 7/8" diameter inside the jacket).
Good luck, Ed.

[Roger]

I have seen lots of drive shafts with universal joins for remote valve operation three decks away. The few flex shaft systems I have seen to operate large valves used 2 flex shafts for each valve so power could be applied in both directions. Edison makes flex shaft boat steering systems that use 2 pull cables. More common in boats and airplanes is cable sysems using sheaves and bell cranks. Small boats, and heavy equipent commonly use hydraulic stearing systems. Ships use synchronous motors to link steering from helm to after steering with secondary synchronous system always avilable and human backup standing by in crowded channels.

Nice thing about drive shaft and universal joint systems they give lots of warning before failure if you pay attention to and fix excess play in steering. A friends caravan's steering had excess fore and aft steering wheel movement the day bought used. 3 years later bracket or somthing broke luckly at slow speed making steering impossable.

[skinner]

I appreciate all the help and input guys. but just so you know, only the people that dont know me are conserned about my welllbeing and safety.