Machining/Cutting Nylon?

[barkster]

Is there a special tool or technique I can use to machine nylon stock? I've tried cutting with my table saw, band saw and tried to machine some on my mini-mill with dangerous results. I guess if I cooled it with coolant it might work better but don't have that open on table saw or band saw. Just starts melting as you cut.

[joecnc2006]

I would imagine your spindle speed it to high.

[barkster]

Yea, I can slow it down on my mill but I need to be able to cut my stock down to size with my table saw and band saw.

[ger21]

Try using a sliding cutoff sled with the table saw.

[Rekd]

barkster,

I found that nylon cuts very nicely if you cut it very fast. I would try pushing it thru the table saw or band saw as fast as you safely can. Should work with either. For machining, again, go fast. Large chip loads will remove the heat with the chip and spare the part any (at least most) melting.

HTH

[DCparts]

We cut it all the time, just run it fast you shouldn't need any coolant. They do make special blades to cut it, and work well.

http://www.plasticsmag.com/features....sue=Mar/Apr-01

[ISO Coder]

As they say use high feedrate, and also make sure that you use sharp tools, prefered is a brand new tool one in HSS since solid carbide isnt as sharp as a HSS tool.You can also try to use some sort of alcohol as coolant,but be carefull so it doesnt ignite.

[mxtras]

Yup - I concur!

HOG IT! - get the chip load up - either use a very coarse blade and/of bog the motor down with very aggressive feeds.

Scott

[mxtras]

HOLD IT!!! BE CAREFUL with your alcohol selection against nylon!!!!!!!!

Ethyl is fine, DO NOT USE Isopropyl or Butyl alcohols with most plastics!

The best compatability tables I have seen are here:

http://www.coleparmer.com/techinfo/chemcomp.asp

Scott

[tokyocrow]

The Material Selected: Tygon:
Interacting with the Chemical: Oils:Sperm (whale)
Has a Compatibility Level of: A-Excellent

[strat]

i checked with grizzly tools when i did my delrin they had bits for plastic so i got one it only has one flute on it works great

[Lon Salgren]

I use my 10" table saw to cut 5/8" thick nylon 6/6. I had a tough time with it melting. I tried a lot of things (lubricants, freezing the nylon, etc. ). Then I found out from my plastic supplier that they use a special nylon cutting blade. I had one made at a local saw blade manufacturer (Universal Saw in Santa Fe Springs, CA). The carbide tipped blade has 20 teeth. Fewer teeth keep the blade much cooler and it cuts a LOT cleaner as a result.

Lon