cut & weld shaft?

[cpasseno03]

I have an old longshaft evinrude 40 horse...a short shaft would be nice, I was told I can cut the shaft down the 5" and weld it back. I can see doing so on a smaller motor, but 40hp? What would be the best way if I did so? grind the tips into points and fill the gap welding, or make a sleeve? or just clamp in angle iron and do butt weld?<br />Thanks<br />Craig

 

[Waterbugtoo]

Re: cut & weld shaft?

???????????<br /><br />I doubt it could ever be done to last. If it was done by a professional and reheattreated........hmmmm.........maybe but costly. You would be better off to respline it if its a straight shaft, if not, find a good used short shaft.

 

[Steve135]

Re: cut & weld shaft?

Hey Craig Passeno I have done just what you want to do with no affects. But on a 25 HP Johnson motor. The motor hasn't missed a beat.4 years The shaft isn't harden,heat treated in the middle just both ends. Well worth the cost savings in my mind. I am a machinest and think that 40 hp isn't to big to do the same as I did. Just get it welded (Mig or Tig) from a speed shop for cars not the local shop and don't grind the weld down either. I found the water tube to be the bigger problem.I just cut out an inspection plate on the side of the motor way up and cut the tube at that point and use a compression fitting. Made a dimond plate cover and drilled and tapped holes.<br /> steve

 

[cpasseno03]

Re: cut & weld shaft?

Thanks stinky! thats just the kind of confidence I was looking for

 

[dmessy]

Re: cut & weld shaft?

Might want to have a non threaded coupling made that has an ID the same as the OD of the shaft. Then cut it, slid the 2 ends into the coupling and weld.

 

[steelespike]

Re: cut & weld shaft?

I havent done a shaft change in a lot of years<br />but it seems to me the only way to go is with a<br />proper short shaft.There must be lots of them<br />out there.<br /> Unless you like to tinker for the fun of tinkering.

 

[cpasseno03]

Re: cut & weld shaft?

I do like to tinker for no apparent reason...But this particular shaft is very hard to find, it has a step up where there shouldnt be...it might be different being army surplus..? I doubt it will come to that as my hunt for a powerhead for my other shortshaft 40 is drawing close thanks!

 

[Steve135]

Re: cut & weld shaft?

steelespike There might be tons of shafts out there but all I ever see is $$$$$$ for them. Just a couple of weeks ago a guy was said it was 250.00 for a shaft for a 25 Hp Johnson, the guy had all he wanted for that price. Thats the reason for trying to cut corners.<br />steve

 

[NathanY]

Re: cut & weld shaft?

My dad is a welder, and he did it on 115 Merc I-6 prop shaft and we put many hours on it, and it never did break. Took him forever to get it perfectly balaced though. New shaft probably better though.

 

[Bobby D.]

Re: cut & weld shaft?

Hi Stink, Did you try Trixies? If You are going to weld the shaft I believe the tig process is too much heat. Use mig or if you do it by the conventional method of welding using a nickel rod.