Theoben Rapid Forum

Everything Technical About Rapid => All About Stocks => Topic started by: angrybear on February 16, 2024, 10:23:38 PM

Title: machining plastics
Post by: angrybear on February 16, 2024, 10:23:38 PM
Not sure it's the correct section but a question for those who machine bits & bobs.

If someone decided to try, say machining a lite wt chassis rail from plastic/polymer, what would be the best material ?
Nylon 6/66, Acetal, Delrin, or would the answer be stick with Aluminium.
Title: Re: machining plastics
Post by: Millingman on February 16, 2024, 10:50:51 PM
Mhhh, I've experimented a bit with peek, it's pretty hard Durable stuff, after a discussion on the forum a while back about making pellet probes from peek which worked brilliantly I've been turning and milling peek successfully for other projects, much harder than delrin or nylon. Machines well.
Hope this helps.
Title: Re: machining plastics
Post by: m1chaelw on March 03, 2024, 11:16:06 AM
Personally I would stay away from plastics , if you wanted to go down that route as milling man said peek may be the best of the readily available stuff. From memory nylon 66 has better mechanical property's over 6 but worth double checking. I'd stay away from PE polyethylene as it's too soft and drifts all over in temperatures.

Title: Re: machining plastics
Post by: Millingman on March 04, 2024, 02:55:20 PM
Only problem with peek, it's bloody expensive 😭
Title: Re: machining plastics
Post by: Ca_Varminter on March 04, 2024, 05:40:35 PM
I would stick o Aluminum....
Cheap.. EZ to get... If you are motivated, can be colored in any color
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/swift/websize/chassis3.jpg)
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/swift/websize/chassis4.jpg)
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/swift/websize/chassis5.jpg)
These were made by Swift..
Manual milled pieces...using aluminum square channel and various size blocks of aluminum 6061
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/swift/websize/chassis7.jpg)
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/swift/websize/swift%20build%2010.jpg)

Stuart
Title: Re: machining plastics
Post by: angrybear on April 27, 2024, 02:37:59 PM
Well it seemed like a good idea at the time  ::)

Turns out it's not quite as easy as it looks  ??? but getting there slowly.
Title: Re: machining plastics
Post by: DAVYW1 on April 28, 2024, 07:42:41 AM
Looks a good effort mate. Well done!
Title: Re: machining plastics
Post by: angrybear on April 28, 2024, 09:13:13 PM
Ah, a slight technical hitch, the pistol grip stops the cabinet door from closing  :-\
Title: Re: machining plastics
Post by: Dlc on April 29, 2024, 03:19:05 AM
Sorry for the delay in thanking you all for the welcome
I've been pre occupied with health stuff
I own an original Elan
Title: Re: machining plastics
Post by: angrybear on April 29, 2024, 02:05:20 PM
Done (well for now)  ::)