The Shaft?

[southpier]

... leaving them one-piece doesn't improve upon what you'll find in a kit. ....

that was my initial reaction.

and the pin/ wire doesn't jump out at me if it is, in fact, really there.

[jeffs396]

The BEST 1/24 scale U-joints I've ever seen are in the old ECSI Jeep CJ-7 kits...they are molded OPEN! Would probably be impossible to cast in resin though

I think cast metal would be the best bet for aftermarket joints, but if they'd sell they would probably already be on the market...

Ooohh, maybe 3D printed??? They could be done with open detail that way

Edited September 8, 2013 by jeffs396

[Tom Geiger]

U joints could be cast in two parts, the inner and outer, since they are in a bent position on some applications. I found a few drive shafts in my box, probably from truck kits, that had the u joints at an angle. So if they were in two parts, they could be glued or pinned into the correct position for any application.

[jas1957]

There was a company WAY back that made a nice aluminum working drivshaft. It was something like Mortasen Engineering, forgive the spelling. I saw it at the Hot Rod model car contest in Indy about 1990. I doubt they ever sold many but someone may have some out there.

[buffalobill]

Independent rear suspensions (IRS) require 4 U-joints per vehicle, so that eats up a lot of kit pcs quickly. With so many C2-C6 Vette kits, as well as newer sports & racing cars w/ IRS being kitted, that should only add to the potential market for some decent U-joints.

And, they'd be most useful if they were cast as two-pieces per joint, so that their angle could be adjusted by the builder depending on the track width of different IRS transaxles (or, for different driveshaft lengths for rwd applications). As Art described, having a metal pin for insertion into the trans & diff. would be the best way to go, and that would also apply for IRS applications for insertion of the half shafts into the transaxle & outer hubs.

As for donor kits for U-joints to use as a starting point, some Tamiya or Fujimi kits may be worth checking into. . .

[Steven Zimmerman]

Art-

No one offers a wide selection of model driveshafts, therefore your market data is irrelevant. Just think of the possibilities; every RWD car made uses a driveshaft. They could even be cargo in a flatbed. It could be the subject of a diorama: a guy opens a box from Summit Racing and inside is a new driveshaft for his Mustang. Modelers need to expand their horizons.

:-D

Um...Huh ? I found his post very informative, and "relevant"...Did I miss something?....'Z'

[Chief Joseph]

U-Joints are easy to model in 3D, and can be designed to function. Probably even functional in 1/24 or 1/25 scale.

[Casey]

U-Joints are easy to model in 3D, and can be designed to function. Probably even functional in 1/24 or 1/25 scale.

This might lead to another issue- accuracy. When we're getting this detailed, the creator of these u-joint parts would need to research and design them so each different variety is correct. You wouldn't want a Dana 44 pinion yoke looking like a Chrysler 7-1/4" pinion yoke, and so on. I guess it depends upon what level of (or if) generic is acceptable to each of us.

[Chief Joseph]

This might lead to another issue- accuracy. When we're getting this detailed, the creator of these u-joint parts would need to research and design them so each different variety is correct. You wouldn't want a Dana 44 pinion yoke looking like a Chrysler 7-1/4" pinion yoke, and so on. I guess it depends upon what level of (or if) generic is acceptable to each of us.

That's an OCD rabbit-hole that I personally don't want to enter

[Mooneyzs]

I have an aftermarket kit of a drive shaft and U-Joints thats turned from aluminum. I don't remember who made it. I am currently out of town at the moment. when I get back home I can take a pic and post it for you.

[Bowtienutz]

There was a company WAY back that made a nice aluminum working drivshaft. It was something like Mortasen Engineering, forgive the spelling. I saw it at the Hot Rod model car contest in Indy about 1990. I doubt they ever sold many but someone may have some out there.

Correct you are. He also made a working tilt column. I wonder what ever happened to him. I have some of those products in my stash neat stuff. Slap forhead why didn't I think of that.

[LDO]

Um...Huh ? I found his post very informative, and "relevant"...Did I miss something?....'Z'

Yes. I was making a reference to a thread in which some posters suggested that many modelers could build models that they have no inteterest in to use as cargo for a flat bed trailer...that they also likely have no interest in.

While I do think that Art's post IS relevant, I have to wonder what the big deal is with U-joints. How often do we see them on real cars? My opinion only.

[Art Anderson]

Yes. I was making a reference to a thread in which some posters suggested that many modelers could build models that they have no inteterest in to use as cargo for a flat bed trailer...that they also likely have no interest in.

While I do think that Art's post IS relevant, I have to wonder what the big deal is with U-joints. How often do we see them on real cars? My opinion only.

How often do we see u-joints on real cars? Well, ever since the advent of the so-called :Hotchkiss" drive system which is the primary system used to transmit power from the transmission to the rear axle in a rear drive, front engine car (except for cars such as 1906-1948 Fords which used torque tube drives). Hotchkiss requires a universal coupling (flexible joint or coupling) at each end of the driveshaft, and literally 10's of millions of American cars have been built using them.--they are just as visible on the underside of the car as any other detail.

Next question?

Art

[southpier]

can the zerk fittings be cast separately?

I strive for ultimate details.

Edited September 11, 2013 by southpier

[Randytheroadrunner]

How often do we see u-joints on real cars? Well, ever since the advent of the so-called :Hotchkiss" drive system which is the primary system used to transmit power from the transmission to the rear axle in a rear drive, front engine car (except for cars such as 1906-1948 Fords which used torque tube drives). Hotchkiss requires a universal coupling (flexible joint or coupling) at each end of the driveshaft, and literally 10's of millions of American cars have been built using them.--they are just as visible on the underside of the car as any other detail.

Next question?

Art

On a 4x4 model, especially a lifted one, they stand out like a sore thumb.

[LDO]

How often do we see u-joints on real cars? Well, ever since the advent of the so-called :Hotchkiss" drive system which is the primary system used to transmit power from the transmission to the rear axle in a rear drive, front engine car (except for cars such as 1906-1948 Fords which used torque tube drives). Hotchkiss requires a universal coupling (flexible joint or coupling) at each end of the driveshaft, and literally 10's of millions of American cars have been built using them.--they are just as visible on the underside of the car as any other detail.

Next question?

Art

I never turn street cars over to look at the bottom side. As for lifted trucks- not my cup of tea.

[buffalobill]

U-joints are very noticable on mid & rear-engined race cars, esp open wheel types. Ditto on street rods, whether or not they have an IRS. As for having U-joints that are accurate for each application, I think that only a relatively small variety of U-joints would actually be req'd to model most cars, and any differances would primarily be due to the size of the U-joint, and not the small details unique to a particular vehicle.

[dimaxion]

It seems to me : AMC , most of the Independents , Vehicles from the '20's - '30's - 40's '50's - '60's both foreign and domestic have Torque Tubes . I hated to get into any torque tube needing repair . Let's not forget that GM joy ! The Pontiac Tempest ; Maytag Mill and Rope Drive . I for one welcome generic U-Joints .. thanx and Thanx ..

[Tom Geiger]

I guess it depends upon what level of (or if) generic is acceptable to each of us.

Generic is a big company that makes everything from drugs to auto parts. I'm sure their U-joints are very good!

[dimaxion]

I like it . Please PM me with cost - shipping - quantity info . I am so in for these . Now , I just have to round up the funding . Thanx ..

[crazyjim]

The pic I posted is what came out of the mold, Jim. I've already used a set because they look fine to me.

[Mooneyzs]

Hey guys.... Here is the turned aluminum set I mentioned a few weeks ago. i apologize it took me a little longer to get pics up of them. I picked this up at a local swap meet a while back....

[Randytheroadrunner]

Almost looks like the universals from an HO Scale Diesel.

[horsepower]

They made a nice kit....just add brass tube and go.....but I think R&D is shutdown at this time...Might check with some online suppliers.

Brass works well, but if you use aluminum, you have the options of leaving it aluminum for a race car drive shaft (mostly on oval short track cars) or polishing it to a high shine for a show chrome shaft or just painting it for the good old standard steel shaft.

[horsepower]

How often do we see u-joints on real cars? Well, ever since the advent of the so-called :Hotchkiss" drive system which is the primary system used to transmit power from the transmission to the rear axle in a rear drive, front engine car (except for cars such as 1906-1948 Fords which used torque tube drives). Hotchkiss requires a universal coupling (flexible joint or coupling) at each end of the driveshaft, and literally 10's of millions of American cars have been built using them.--they are just as visible on the underside of the car as any other detail.

Next question?

Art

Me thinks you doth not get the gist of his statement, step out the front door, & look up & down the street, do you see any cars (or trucks)? if so do you see any u-joints on any of these? Assuming that you weren't struck down when you stepped out your door I doubt you saw any unless you crawled under to look for them.