Universal Joints

[Lazy-Ferret]

So to all you clever constructors out there...

I am after 2 small(ish) universal joints, a bit like you get in a 1/2inch socket set, but need to fit onto circular shafts.

The first shaft and last ones are the only ones that are set in stone, the rest is flexible.

Basically, I have a 15.75mm round shaft, that I need to be able to occasionally turn through 180 to 200 degrees from about 6 foot away. Because of other fittings, the drive can not be directly opposite, and needs to turn through a small angle (~6 degrees) then back the same angle to end up perpendicular the the shaft, just 4 inches or so in further along.

The second UJ, will then couple to a 12mm shaft.

So basically, I need 1 x UJ, ~16mm to "Y" and a second UJ, from "Y" to 12mm.

Both shafts are plain, e.g. no splines or flats, but these could of course be ground on if needed.

They do need to be fairly strong, as it takes about 50ft/lbs to turn it.

Any ideas where I can get such things fairly cheaply...

[makeitfit]

Couple of bits of alkathene and some constant pressure clips :thumb2

[Lazy-Ferret]

Couple of bits of alkathene and some constant pressure clips :thumb2

So water pipe and jubilee clips? Thats an interesting idea, I guess I would need a support in the middle, to stop it sagging...

[kitchenman]

1/4" socket UJ's should do

[Lazy-Ferret]

1/4" socket UJ's should do

Not sure 1/4inch would be big enough, 15.75mm is about 5/8th inch, so it would need to be 1/2inch ones... the problem with using them, is ideally, I need holes on both ends, rather than the sticking out square head they have, but I was thinking of trying to using them, if nothing more specific came up.

[firebobby]

Instead of of hose pipe you could use MDPE water pipe, it has a thicker wall and should support it's self, just ask one of your local water board guys if they have any off cuts.

What's it for then??

[cncfabs]

Not sure 1/4inch would be big enough, 15.75mm is about 5/8th inch, so it would need to be 1/2inch ones... the problem with using them, is ideally, I need holes on both ends, rather than the sticking out square head they have, but I was thinking of trying to using them, if nothing more specific came up.

Steering joint off terrano :thumbs
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q204/stephenhudson/102_0008_zps195a7a21.jpg

[solarman216]

car heater hose should be strong enough, even better would be fuel hose, comes in 1 mt lengths, Rick

[Lazy-Ferret]

What's it for then??

I have fitted a motor mover to the caravan, but our van is stored up against a fence, so engaging the N/S motor is not practical, and leaving it engaged when the van is being stored is not an option as the stresses on the tyre for long periods would wreck the tyre.

The mover we have, is made by Rhyno, who for some reason do not make, or recommend a cross actuator to connect the two units together, allowing you to engage both sides from one side, as the mechanism that engages the roller with the tire moves different amounts per side.

So, the easiest thing I thought to do, was using the extended shaft, that sticks out the back of the mover, make up the assembly described so I can have the two engaging nuts on one side.

Fairly easy, if I can just sort out the UJ's, or flexible drive.

The ideas so far are all food for thought, and I have some bits laying around, like blue water pipe, and vacuum hose to give a try.

I went to a boot fair today, to see if I could pick up a couple of 1/2" socket UJ's to try, but sods law there were none there.

The Steering joint is an interesting idea, looking at the picture, I could use 2 bolted together at the flexible coupling, which would give the the length of shaft I need as well as giving me the 2 UJ's. I will give that some more thought, and give you a shout once I have had a go with the pipe..

[zippy656]

Cut a hole in the fence

[spiderpig37]

Now we know what its for i would say bits of plastic are out of the window as the force it takes to engage my mover when its been stood is quite abit and thats with greasing it

[firebobby]

Now we know what its for i would say bits of plastic are out of the window as the force it takes to engage my mover when its been stood is quite abit and thats with greasing it

Yeah, my mover takes a bit of grunt to engage the rollers so I would think plastic pipe will just twist, but I wouldn't be without a mover now :bow

[makeitfit]

Alkathene is pretty thick walled stuff and over the short lengths you're talking about I doubt it would twist. You could almost fill it with some sand too maybe. :thumbs

[rustic]

Steering joint off terrano :thumbs
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q204/stephenhudson/102_0008_zps195a7a21.jpg

Quick question on this steering shaft.

How much of the shaft is clamped in that pinch clamp, the one in the centre, mine from new looks less than 20 mm possibly 15mm it has never been touched since new, and I have always thought it was not enough, but 18 years later it's still fine..

So what is normal?

best regards,

Rustic

[Lazy-Ferret]

Now we know what its for i would say bits of plastic are out of the window as the force it takes to engage my mover when its been stood is quite abit and thats with greasing it

Thats why I said it takes 50ft/lbs to turn it, I checked it with my torque wrench.

I think the Blue water pipe might be up for it, as long as I can get it to grip on the shafts, but I rather fancy doing it more professionally.


The hole in the fence would have been fine in the old days.. the panel is actually in slotted concrete posts, so I could have just lifted it up. Long story short, although the fence is not ours, we replaced when the house next door was empty for several years. The people who subsequently moved in are less than nice, and having never maintained the fence, allowing it to badly rot, and brake up, and now expect us to replace it again, now it is at the end of it's life. So touching the fence is not an option, just in case it decides to finally give up the ghost...

[cncfabs]

Quick question on this steering shaft.

How much of the shaft is clamped in that pinch clamp, the one in the centre, mine from new looks less than 20 mm possibly 15mm it has never been touched since new, and I have always thought it was not enough, but 18 years later it's still fine..

So what is normal?

best regards,

Rustic

Yes its about 15-20 mm

[rustic]

Yes its about 15-20 mm

Thanks for that, it's just that when I first saw it, the splines go a long way along the shaft.
:thumb2

Rustic

[Lazy-Ferret]

Steering joint off terrano :thumbs
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q204/stephenhudson/102_0008_zps195a7a21.jpg

Roughly how long is that assembly?

[geoffdown]

Roughly how long is that assembly?

Measures the 1on ur t2:doh

[rayf3262]

Just a thought.....
B&Q do a cheapo 12V cordless drill for £15.
Chuck the battery out, fit the drill on the mover shaft and remotely power it from caravan battery.

[Lazy-Ferret]

Measures the 1on ur t2:doh

Doh.... :doh
actually I did think of that, but it meant finding it and getting to it, where as CNCFABS already knows the answer to the question... Just saving the poor old back :lol:lol


Just a thought.....
B&Q do a cheapo 12V cordless drill for £15.
Chuck the battery out, fit the drill on the mover shaft and remotely power it from caravan battery.

I like your thinking, but not sure it would save much work. The shaft is 16mm (ish) in diameter, so the chuck would not fit over it, so I would need to make up an adaptor to drop it to 10mm. After that, as it sits under the van, I would have to protect it from water etc.

Mind you if I cracked all that... 4 more of them, one on the back of each of the corner steadies, and you could build a self levelling system.... Hmmmmm :bow :lol