Fabrication plastic suggestion?

[Mortimer Snerd]

I'm putting together a plastic order from a local place and wanted to get suggestions from you all re: what the best plastic for links and a skid are. I'm looking for something ridgid and slippery that will do a good job of sliding over rocks and be reasonably easy to work with. I'm inclined towards Delrin (acetal), but wasn't sure if there was anything else I should be looking at. Any ideas?

[Yawzer]

I've tried several - PVC, acrylic, and a couple I can't recall - delrin is by far the best - it's strong and slippery and flex's a little for links.

[binaryterror]

Delrin is the best option.

[Dickie691986]

Originally Posted by binaryterror

Delrin is the best option.

x2 best thing out rite now

[gadge]

UHMW(ultra high molecular weight)plastic... yea ,really,thats the name
thats what cutting board material really is "online metals.com" even has it in black! its also available from alot of woodworking stores like "rockler"
i dont like actual cutting board matl. because it has a non slip texture on it i happen to come across a chunck 1' thick 2x3 feet! free!!!
woodworker shops even have a peel n stick bout a 1/16 thick
....for links i avoid plastic n use hard chromed steel links with a combo of i think 8 different rod-ends n balls...each having there own intended use/location everything from revo push-rod ends to all those funky ones n the jato

[EeePee]

I merged your threads because having two is not needed.

[Offroader5]

Acetal all the way..... And you can easily find it in black also. It cuts very easily and cleanly, it machines and holds threads very well, and is very rigid and slippery.

[RedNeck Rc]

Chalk another vote for delrin, make sure to get the cut of the marbeled stuff. It looks so trick compared to the black on everything else.

[Spucknit]

I always use the UHMW plastic. I've been using it for years in my wood shop to make saw inserts and jigs and stuff like that and I love it. It can be planed or routed just like wood which allows you make almost any shape. It also holds threads like a ny-lock and is slicker than any other plastic I've ever felt. It makes awesome skids, but I've never tried to make links with it.

[The Real Dogman]

Delrin, Delrin, Delrin, acetal, Delrin is slick as snot on a door knob!!

[Mortimer Snerd]

Originally Posted by The Real Dogman

Delrin, Delrin, Delrin, acetal, Delrin is slick as snot on a door knob!!

Wow, thats slick! Slick as greased monkey snot? Thanks for all the suggestions! Any tips on machining, making skids, etc?

[rockmike]

Delrin i feel has to much flex for links ive run 4-40 rod through it to try to make it more ridged,it helped but i dont want my links flexing at all.Ive made my skids out of the uhmw and usually mill a spot in it so my trans sits as low as possible.Machined nice i spun the tool fast.

[BigRocks]

6/6 Nylon is pretty bitchin stuff. It's hard and slick like Delrin, but wont get eaten up as easily

Edit: McMaster has a nice Composite materials section that has all the info you'd ever need. See if that helps

[Almighty Malach]

Delrin for skids and stainless tubing for links 8-32 all-thread with revo rod ends sleaved with 1/4" x 0.28" stainless tube. It slides as well as delrin but is way stronger and doesn't get chewed up nearly as quick