What is the best stuffing?

SHUG

SHUG

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Just about to overhaul the propshaft stuffing box. There is some choice in what you can use for re-packing. Can any body give a strong recommendation regarding the best material for re-stuffing and while they are at it, the best grease for the job.
Thanks.
 
there is a difference between the packing you need for a stainless steel shaft as opposed to a phosphor bronze shaft - but that's the extent of my technical knowledge! as for grease, the usual choice is white grease - I use Raminol but that's not based on any scientific evidence - just on the fact that Keenol is no longer available and the chandler had this as a replacement. btw its much cheaper from outlets other than chandlers
 
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I use the teflon-impregnated flax from ASAP. Seems good, much less need for grease than plain flax, which is good because cutless bearings don't like grease.

Pete
 
Have recently re-packed my glands, two propshafts and two rudder shafts, using the graphite packing from ASAP. Their website states that to use the teflon impregnated packing the gland must have from a greaser, mine don't. I also used the black waterproof grease they supply.
 
Thanks for the guidance.
As ever, ASAP seems to do the business. I had heard of a PTFE putty from USA but I think its expensive.
 
I emailed James Walker and asked them basically the same question.

Their reply
-------------------------------
thank you for your enquiry
please could you advise the shaft speed, operating temperature & media the packing is likely to come in contact with? I have also attached a link to our compression packing guide to assist you in selecting a suitable material.

http://www.jameswalker.biz/system/p...nal_Compression_Packings_Guide.pdf?1300838062

_____________________

Haven't managed to find the answers to their questions yet :)
 
Jassira said:
Haven't managed to find the answers to their questions yet :)
Click to expand...

Well, for shaft speed you presumably know the engine RPM, and hopefully can look up the reduction ratio of the gearbox in the manual.

As for the temperature, it's bit tricky depending on whether they mean to include the local heating effect of the packing. Since that's going to vary a lot depending on the material, gland tightness, etc, let's assume they just mean ambient. 20ºC seems a reasonable maximum for something in the bilge of a boat.

Medium? Seawater. Maybe mention in passing that it's a stainless steel shaft and bronze housing.

Pete
 
All rather irrelevant. Prop shaft seals are very low duty applications. Any of the packings sold for marine use by chandlers or marine engineers will be suitable. Whether you go for plain or impregnated is personal preference as it is difficult to see how it can make any difference in an application such as a yacht auxilliary where shaft revs are usually less than 1000 rpm, constantly cooled by seawater and running typically less than 200 hours a year. Wear and therefore life is determined primarily by adjustment - too tight and the packing wears, too loose and they leak! So just follow the instructions on packing and adjustment and a long life is assured.
 
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