UHMW table

[MBG]

I noticed the machine I want to "copy" uses a UHMW table. Well the table size i want is around 2'x 4'..


Well from just looking at prices this runs around $4,500 US dollars.


Why so much?

[Geof]

UHMW is expensive but this must be a thick piece if 8 square feet is that price; $562.50 a square foot does seem a bit steep.

[MBG]

Well this place is crap WAAAY overpriced


I can get it locally for around less than $200

[MBG]

Originally Posted by Geof UHMW is expensive but this must be a thick piece if 8 square feet is that price; $562.50 a square foot does seem a bit steep.

No, I called locally and they want $137 for a piece

[ger21]

Why do you want a UHMW table? If you're trying to scale up a small machine and use the same materials, it may not work very well at the larger size.

[MBG]

Originally Posted by ger21 Why do you want a UHMW table? If you're trying to scale up a small machine and use the same materials, it may not work very well at the larger size.

because I want to use it for ICE machining and I heard UHMW works well with sticking to the ICE with a squirt bottle...

[Mike Horne]

The cure time and rarity of large pieces in manufacturing seems to me to be the reason for the price jump. PVC pipe is cheap and pentiful, 6 inch rod isn't

Have you thought of facing your exisiting table with a thin sheet of UHMV? Say a .125 of an inch or so?

You'd get the non stick benefits without much compromise in work envelope (depending on how you fasten it).


Mike Horne

[MBG]

Originally Posted by Mike Horne The cure time and rarity of large pieces in manufacturing seems to me to be the reason for the price jump. PVC pipe is cheap and pentiful, 6 inch rod isn't Have you thought of facing your exisiting table with a thin sheet of UHMV? Say a .125 of an inch or so? You'd get the non stick benefits without much compromise in work envelope (depending on how you fasten it). Mike Horne

That is another problem is how to fasten the table to the metal base. I am thinking about using some sort of adhesive. I am not sure. For support though I am thinking about putting sheet metal underneath the plastic table. Then under the sheet metal maybe square tubing in an X-brace format.

[andy_ck87028]

why go to the expense and bother of UHMV?

Surely a good paint job would do as well if you are going to use sheet metal.....

Andy

[MBG]

Originally Posted by andy_ck87028 why go to the expense and bother of UHMV? Surely a good paint job would do as well if you are going to use sheet metal..... Andy

I am going to use xylan 1424 on the steel.

[andy_ck87028]

Originally Posted by MBG I am going to use xylan 1424 on the steel.

I have heard that stone blood is an excellent alternative to xylan 1424

[Geof]

Originally Posted by MBG That is another problem is how to fasten the table to the metal base. I am thinking about using some sort of adhesive.....

If you are planning on using an adhesive with UHMW you might have difficulty finding one that sticks. It is practically impossible to glue UHMW; you can do it, but it is necessary to etch the surface with something like hydrofluoric acid which is the nastiest stuff you can ever encounter.


And a few posts up you had this ;

because I want to use it for ICE machining and I heard UHMW works well with sticking to the ICE with a squirt bottle...

Do you mean you heard that ice sticks well to UHMW? That contradicts my experience, and makes you wonder why the bottom of snow skis are sometimes UHMW, so ice will not stick.