machining plastics

[angrybear]

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.

[Millingman]

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.

[m1chaelw]

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.

[Millingman]

Only problem with peek, it's bloody expensive 😭

[Ca_Varminter]

I would stick o Aluminum....
Cheap.. EZ to get... If you are motivated, can be colored in any color



These were made by Swift..
Manual milled pieces...using aluminum square channel and various size blocks of aluminum 6061



Stuart

[angrybear]

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.

[DAVYW1]

Looks a good effort mate. Well done!

[angrybear]

Ah, a slight technical hitch, the pistol grip stops the cabinet door from closing 

[Dlc]

Sorry for the delay in thanking you all for the welcome
I've been pre occupied with health stuff
I own an original Elan

[angrybear]

Done (well for now)