Shaft coupler question

[Victor Tikhonov <vtikhono@lsil.com>]

Does any one in Portland area knows a place
where they can fabricate tempered splined shaft coupler?

What would be approx. cost of such thing?

Also I've heard from one machine shop owner
that if I use direct drive (no clutch), than slightest
non coaxial placement of the motor and tranny shafts
will put unacceptable strain on the motor's front bearing
and it won't last for long. He said semi-flex couplers are
not reliable by themselves.

Any one who has done direct coupling had any troubles?
How do you center both units?

Since I didn't know any better way, last time II lowered the motor
hanging from the hoist into the tranny siting on the stand shaft
straight up, and tightened plate to the housing _while_ motor was
spinning at low RPM. This provided self centering action.

Would that be enough accuracy for clutchless coupling?

Thanks,

Victor