Turning Delrin

[Crashmaster]

I will be turning Delrin to make plugs to tubes. I was wondering if anybody out there had a recommendation of if coolant was needed. I was thinking it would not be necessary but a guy at my shop said delrin can were your inserts faster than some metals. Also, speed/feed recommendation would be appreciated. Thanks.

[neilw20]

I will be turning Delrin to make plugs to tubes. I was wondering if anybody out there had a recommendation of if coolant was needed. I was thinking it would not be necessary but a guy at my shop said delrin can were your inserts faster than some metals. Also, speed/feed recommendation would be appreciated. Thanks.

HSS gets well poliished and loses its edge REALLY QUICK. Solid carbide or similar only practical option for quantity. You can machine it faster with coolant. Try inserts that are meant for aluminum. Lots of top rake is good.

[Geof]

Black Delrin is very abrasive and will wear HSS very rapidly but carbide does last fairly well. Try to get micrograin carbide so you have the sharpest cutting edge possible. Delrin likes a nice sharp tool with little or no top rake, but avoid negative rake tooling. Speed and feed can be like brass or a bit slower than aluminum. Coolant is a good idea to keep things cool, Delrin will melt on the cutter at high speeds. For drilling use plenty of coolant, a new drill and peck frequently to get the chips out. For tapping watch out for chips wrapping around the tap and getting carried into the next hole, also new tap.

[Crashmaster]

Once again Geof, I appreciate the quick answer.