question using teflon in stuffing gland ?

[arch007]

My cape dory 28 manual says do not use teflon flax in the packing gland.

Does anyone see any problems using teflon flax in the packing gland ?

I think teflon would last longer and also lubricate better.

Thanks,

arch

[Jim Walsh]

This may be helpful. You will first need to determine what material your shaft is made of. The author of this article occasuionally visits this forum and goes out of his way to provide insight.
http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box&page=1

[Maine_Buzzard]

Graphite packing is verboten for bronze shafts and I have seen anecdotal complaints about the putty used instead of fiber based packing.

MS is right 99 and 44/100s of the time, and if he's wrong, it's only because Chuck Norris has a better idea.

Good thread here:

http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index. ... ng.159570/

Try a PTFE for a year and see how you like it. I am happy with old school and don't get obsessed with drip rates...

The manua is how old? People were probably wrapping teflon thread tape around a shaft back then.

[Maine Sail]

The reason many packing gland manufacturers suggest not using a "Teflon" packing is because they are normally Teflon impregnated acrylic yarn braids. This means the Teflon (lubricant) is added to the acrylic fibers just like flax wax based lubes are. The problem is that if acrylic gets over heated it can score a shaft in short order because it gets extremely hard once over heated.

What you would want is a pure Teflon yarn without the graphite lubricant. I am in the process of developing a non-graphite high performance galvanically inert packing, but it is still a ways from being launched. Do not use any graphite impregnated packing if you have a bronze shaft.