Flex Shaft Parts

[junkorgem]

Hello all,
I am attempting to adapt an electric concrete vibrator to a rotary flex shaft tool. It has a 1 hp motor, not sure about rpm, and a ten foot 1" diameter flex shaft. I've had this thing laying around for quite some time and I think it might just work. If I can find some way to attach a keyless chuck in place of the vibrator assembly. I will need to canabalize the outer sheath of the vibrator to build a handpiece, so that I can have a shaft with bearings. My question is, do the flex shafts that are purpose built have a 3/8"x24 threaded shaft?

[mpierich]

Originally Posted by junkorgem

Hello all,
I am attempting to adapt an electric concrete vibrator to a rotary flex shaft tool. It has a 1 hp motor, not sure about rpm, and a ten foot 1" diameter flex shaft. I've had this thing laying around for quite some time and I think it might just work. If I can find some way to attach a keyless chuck in place of the vibrator assembly. I will need to canabalize the outer sheath of the vibrator to build a handpiece, so that I can have a shaft with bearings. My question is, do the flex shafts that are purpose built have a 3/8"x24 threaded shaft?

Mine is 1/2"-24 (or thereabouts), and it's pretty heavy duty. Is the end of your shaft threaded? If so you can just put buffing wheels right on the shaft. You might be able to find a chuck that will thread right onto the shaft, doesn't have to be keyless. If the end of the shaft is not threaded, you can get or make an adapter to go on with set screws. The pointed mandrels are great for quick wheel changes.

Depending on what the end of the cable looks like, you might need to get some tubing and a bearing for a handle.

Is 1" the o.d. of the shaft case? That's not too bad, but ten foot is going to be a bear to handle. I'd cut it down to 6 ft. if feasible.

[junkorgem]

Thank you for your reply, I have used many of your previous posts as I have been polishing different parts on my bike. Anyhow, all of the bearings in the end of the shaft were in the vibrator assembly, so I do have to have a shaft made with the correct OD to fit the bearings. But.. the other end of the shaft needs a collet/drill chuck or some way to attach a buffing wheel. I think it may be to difficult to reduce the length because it has ends crimped on similiar to a hydraulic hose. I found a used shaft on ebay, I will try that one first. Thank again, Greg