Hi does anyone on the board have any experience/advice on machining delrin plastic.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Delrin
- Thread starter brian gains
- Start date
I have machined it a few times - so can't claim expert status but can tell you what I have done/found so far. Tools need to be very sharp and kept clean. Any build up on the tool starts smearing/melting the workpiece. I've used gt85 as a cutting lubricant with it and that seemed to work ok. If things are still getting too hot I've rigged up my airline with a blow gun clamped to blow on the workpiece and that kept it cold and workable. All very Heath Robinson but seemed to work for me. Also, some friends of mine who waterjet//laser cut say it laser cuts well.
Hi Brian, I'm no expert but I've found that it's harder than nylon and cuts more accurately. Cheers, Stu.
I had a batch of Brampton damper knobs made for the SC a few months ago. They were all made of black Delrin to match as near as possible the appearance of the original Bakelite.
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You have to spin it up pretty fast and it throws ribbons of itself all over the lathe, making a hell of a mess. Very easy to get a nice finish though.
Be aware with later machining steel with hot swarf coming off.
If delrin or acetal starts to smell its dangerous, as acid is formed, in a reaction.
And as it does not chip, but forms long swarf, it can be dangerous, when it comes near the chuck.
Never get long swarf out with your hands...
Than again, we are not yougsters and know this all.
If delrin or acetal starts to smell its dangerous, as acid is formed, in a reaction.
And as it does not chip, but forms long swarf, it can be dangerous, when it comes near the chuck.
Never get long swarf out with your hands...
Than again, we are not yougsters and know this all.
There's a bit here about machining Delrin.... Sharp tool, good clearance angle to aid swarf removal, keep under 120C.
www.3erp.com
Machining Delrin: Tips, advantages & applications - 3ERP
From cars to consumer electronics to kitchenware, Delrin is just about everywhere: the high-strength thermoplastic makes great consumer products and is
Further to Flyinglow's advice about sharp tools, I found a very sharp cutting edge ,with lots of back rake, on a round-faced tool was best, it left a very good surface. Medium speed and a slow feed seemed to suit my amateur skills.
The supplier gave me some extra offcuts and advised me to have a go on them to get on top of how it cuts before starting the actual job. It was good advice !
The supplier gave me some extra offcuts and advised me to have a go on them to get on top of how it cuts before starting the actual job. It was good advice !
But its no good as a magneto spur gear, as it expands to much. (ABOUT 0.7 MM)
Steel or Tufnol for me
Steel or Tufnol for me