Has anyone tried this stuff (type of delrin)

[dmoore764]

From mcmaster.com

"PTFE-Filled Delrin (Delrin AF): Filled with 13 percent PTFE fiber to provide better wear resistance and less friction than regular Delrin."

Sounds perfect for lead nuts, I was just wondering if anyone has worked with this stuff, aka does it machine well, etc. It's a little more expensive, but one 1' rod is probably enough for the entire machine.

BTW, I just want to say this is a great site, I've already learned so much, now I'm ready to buy stuff (mcmaster.com is great too).

[ger21]

I believe that has a lower tensile strength than regular Delrin.

I plan on trying the MDS filled Nylon 6 for nuts, though. Seems to have a little more tensile strength and a lower coefficient of friction than Delrin, and it's about the same price.

[dmoore764]

Ahhhh, I see.

Should I even ask... Do they carry that at mcmaster.com?

[dmoore764]

Nevermind, I see it. Have you worked with that stuff before? All I seem to see is delrin all over the place.

Thanks for all the help BTW

[ger21]

I haven't tried it myself yet. I saw a piece tapped with a homemade tap, but it wasn't on a machine. It felt harder than Delrin. Probably a little more work to tap.

[charleyy]

a number of questions regarding plastic/nylon/delrin-like materials...

i have a couple scrap pieces of a product called 'weatherguard' (? i can't find much of anything like it googling), as well as more pieces of a product called 'Starboard', and lastly a number of more scraps of a product called 'Azek'.

Azek is an exterior grade pvc material that will do for certain pieces of a homebrew cnc, but i have no idea how it will take to tapping... (seeing as how i am tapped out of taps; i'm still unsure what sizes i need)...

following is a quote from a site about 'starboard', not sure how it will take threads, either; it certainly has a denser, slippier feel to it than the Azek:

STARBOARD

TPI is a Master distributor of KING STARBOARD® products. This polymer sheet material has become the plastics standard for use in weather resistant marine construction. Used extensively to replace teak, select hard woods and treated plywood in hundreds of applications.

King StarBoard®
“The preferred material choice for most boating manufacturers”. We stock it in full sheets. You cut, rout and drill it just like wood into any kind of part you need. Available in 1 sheet size and 5 thicknesses. Choose from 6 colors - Dolphin Gray, White White, Sea Foam, Black, Sand Shade, and Light Gray. Call us for a quote and minimums on custom colors to match specific gel coat colors. For the best finish we recommend that you cut it with a standard fine tooth table saw and router the edges smooth. Available sheet sizes: 54" x 96" Sheet Thicknesses: 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" and 1". Shipped with protective masking, one side only.


the 'weatherguard' felt even denser and almost greasy, compared to the azek and starboard...

does any one have experience machining these materials, and do they take to tapping readily ? would the 'dense', 'greasy' polymer stuff substitute for delrin ?

thanks

charley
charleyy@alltel.net

eof

[High Seas]

Charleyy - I have used the Starboard.

...does any one have experience machining these materials, and do they take to tapping readily ? would the 'dense', 'greasy' polymer stuff substitute for delrin ?
eof

in fact all the white pieces on my System2 are Starboard. It seems to have good stability - but then I'm not in the snow-belt either. It cuts ok with a tablesaw or normal woodworking tools. Chinese (HF) holesaws don't last to long but it sands ok with a sander. They make a glue specifically for it - but I have not tried it yet.
I drilled and tapped (homemade Acme Tap using the info on the site here) and it works quite well. For mounting bits and pieces it drills and taps well and I hope holds the thread - as I frequently mount and remount the router - holding fine so far!

like ger21, I got some of the MDS nylon bits - but I got some bearing s to support the acme rods - haven't mounted them yet - but they seem "slick".
Cheers - Jim

BTW the guys at the chandelry asked me to get a permission slip before I bought it! (they were joking - just cause its NOT inexpensive!)

[NEATman]

Delrin AF does make a pretty good leadscrew nut. We have used it in several of our products. If you are interested in a easy to manufacture anti-backlash type nut, take a look at the PDF catalog at
http://www.neat.com/techinfo/downloadform.asp
The info on the nut is on page 243. It is a split nut with spring preload. There is also loads of information in the technical section of this catalog, and I should know, as I work here. :-)
Keith

[dmoore764]

Delrin AF does make a pretty good leadscrew nut. We have used it in several of our products.

Hmmm, thats good news, but it does look like the MDS Nylon is a little (a lot) cheaper. Maybe it would be good for a linear bearing? Has anyone tried making their own linear bearings out of delrin, or does it compress/expand too much to be accurate for that kind of application?

[Jim Stein]

I machine PTFE parts at work every day.PTFE is similar to plastic but it has to be compression molded then sintered (baked) to interlock the molocules in the PTFE.Anything can be added to PTFE like graphite,bronze powder,carbon,glass powder,ect.Each additive will give different charecteristics to the final product.PTFE is normally harder than regular plastic which can make it easier to machine.It also has the ability to handle more heat than plastic,alot more!It usually cost about seven dollars a pound in pellet form before it is molded. DUPONT calls it TEFLON.That is there trademarked name for PTFE.

[DierWolf]

I can answer this as i use it daily.

Delrin AF is simply delrin filled PTFE (Slipperies material in the world, check guiness book of world records)

Because its filled with PTFE it is alot more self lubricating compared to Delrin 100,200,500 etc etc.

Its also a little softer than regular unfilled virgin delrin, and scratches easier.

It mills about the same.

PTFE is great for bearings but very expensive.. PTFE has Memory so it will go back to its origina molded/milled shape if impacted. its also very heat resistent and easily milled as well.

Nylon i HATE to death, on a lathe it will melt and sometimes fuse back to the part your turning, if you want cheap Nylon/selflubricating material for bushings etc etc, use UHMW, it mills very nicely (not as nice as delrin of coz) its self lubricating and also cheaper than Nylon.

Oh by the way i just joined, i want to convert my Micro-Mark 7x14 to cnc, and i have been reading alot, but have no idea where to start and the cheapest route to go. Hopefully someone can do a "REAL" step by step, blow by blow from start to finish on converting a mini Lathe to cnc.

Check out the stuff i make at www.island-designs.com


But to answer you question. yes its very good material Delrin AF, although i rather work with regular delrin becuase its a little harder.

Best source i have found for Delrin/PTFE/UHMW is www.lowcostmetals.com or http://www.use-enco.com