I can tell you what not to try while machining rubber. I was trying to turn a rubber bushing down from a 2.5" OD to 2.4". The material was only deflecting and no cutting. (lots of smoke)
I decided to freeze the rubber. A little while in a freezer, did no good. I filled a tank with about 2" of liquid argon, and dropped the rubber in for about 5 minutes. I fished it out with a wire, and as soon as I touched it with a leather gloove. BAM!. The rubber shattered into hundreds of pieces. Glad I had on safety glasses.
Bill. |