Prop Shaft Bearing Surface rebuilding

[joeboata]

I've got a couple of prop shafts with some pitting on the bearing surface areas. One is a Merc fat shaft, the other a Volvo Duoprop. I believe that these can be welded + then turned down to size. I've heard something about plasma or spray welding also?

Can someone describe these procedures and recommend a good shop who does them? Any idea on cost?

Thanks very much!

[j_martin]

Been quite a while, but 20 or 30 years ago I had a bunch of electric motor shafts, and also a tractor transmission input shaft spray metalized and ground to spec. Worked well in all cases. It's a process where the surface is grooved (lightly) on a lathe, then powder metal is sprayed on with an oxyacetylene flame. The resulting surface is very hard. Wasn't real expensive as I remember.

[joeboata]

Been quite a while, but 20 or 30 years ago I had a bunch of electric motor shafts, and also a tractor transmission input shaft spray metalized and ground to spec. Worked well in all cases. It's a process where the surface is grooved (lightly) on a lathe, then powder metal is sprayed on with an oxyacetylene flame. The resulting surface is very hard. Wasn't real expensive as I remember.

Thanks for your input! I'll look into this.

[moparbarn]

I've had a front hub on an old IH Scout repaired with the method j_martin mentioned. Spun a front wheel bearing outer race, so it was already "grooved" :p. The shop sprayed the powdered metal in it then turned it back to size, worked great! Beat the crap outta that truck for 4 more years, still doing good when I sold it. I guess they still do it, been prolly 30-35 years ago.

[HStream1]

Gordon Sullivan repairs them. he machines the bad area then builds it up with Inconel. Machines everything back to spec. Ive had two 15" ones done by him.

[joeboata]

Gordon Sullivan repairs them. he machines the bad area then builds it up with Inconel. Machines everything back to spec. Ive had two 15" ones done by him.

Thank-you Bud. Would you have a contact # or email for Gordon by any chance?

[HStream1]

Let me call him tomorrow and make sure its OK to give out his cell number. Im sure its OK but I always like to ask first. Have a Great Independence Day. Ill PM you once he gives me the OK.;)



Thank-you Bud. Would you have a contact # or email for Gordon by any chance?

[90 5.0]

Gordon Sullivan repairs them. he machines the bad area then builds it up with Inconel. Machines everything back to spec. Ive had two 15" ones done by him.

Inconel hardbanding is tough stuff, we use it at work. If it's done this way should be stronger than original.

[joeboata]

Let me call him tomorrow and make sure its OK to give out his cell number. Im sure its OK but I always like to ask first. Have a Great Independence Day. Ill PM you once he gives me the OK.;)


Thank-you!

[rgsauger]

They call it thermal spray or powder spray or metal spray. One process uses two wires that actually ground and create the arc which is like a small jet engine and the other process uses powdered metal that's introduced into a supersonic velocity torch. Both yield the same effective end result. Amazing process.

[Scream And Fly]

Been quite a while, but 20 or 30 years ago I had a bunch of electric motor shafts, and also a tractor transmission input shaft spray metalized and ground to spec. Worked well in all cases. It's a process where the surface is grooved (lightly) on a lathe, then powder metal is sprayed on with an oxyacetylene flame. The resulting surface is very hard. Wasn't real expensive as I remember.

That process intrigues me. I've heard of similar processes but I know very little about it. Now that you've described this, I'm really curious to know more.

[HStream1]

Just finished chatting with him and he doesnt do Prop shafts any more. To many issues. He only does Drive shafts.


Thank-you Bud. Would you have a contact # or email for Gordon by any chance?

[joeboata]

Just finished chatting with him and he doesnt do Prop shafts any more. To many issues. He only does Drive shafts.

OK, Thanks for the effort, much appreciated!

[David - WI]

That process intrigues me. I've heard of similar processes but I know very little about it. Now that you've described this, I'm really curious to know more.

The poor man's setup (which is what I have) is a Victor/Stoody torch setup like this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NMNM1PTx1Y

The problem with (relatively) long, thin shafts is keeping them from bending due to uneven heating and (probably more importantly) uneven cooling after they're coated. I tried one Merc driveshaft... it was no good to the guy the way it was... but it's in the scrap pile now.

A lot of this stuff is doable, if you can afford to suffer through the "learning curve"... meaning practice on junk first. :)