Delrin links.. .

[BCCrawlerZ]

I picked up some 1/4" delrin rod... Gonna try making some links out of it.. but I would like to do the bent links.. Whats the easiest way to bend delrin and get the links the same?

[twisted77]

where did you get your links, did you order them or get them local, I have a link to order but I didnt know if maybe plastic shops might carry delrin.

[tq_racing]

I have been wanting make some myself (I would buy but I like to make things myself) how do you guys get the ball ends onto it, do you shave down then end then thread it?

Thanks and sorry for the noob question.

TQ

[twisted77]

Just a guess here but I would say that you drill and tap a hole in the delrin just like you would if you were using alluminum rod and thread in 8/832 alltread and I like to use revo big rod ends they are bigger and stronger than the tmaxx, you have to tap the rod ends aswell.

[gone_wheelin]

The easiest way I have found to bend delrin is to use the base for a carpenters square (theones with the sliding rule and level), clamp the rod to the long flat side, heat up the other end and clamp it to the 45* side with some small clamps. Let it cool and move on to the next one.

Like Twisted mentioned, drill and tap like you would aluminum, unless you have a lathe and want to get fancy.

[Crawln Coles]

I drill and tap mine and I use set screws instead of allthread. Another thing if your are going to bend them for high clearance, heat them very slowly as you bend them. Once you have the desired angle hold it in place while it cools. Delrin likes to keep it's shape

[Offroader5]

This works on solid aluminum very well, and you may also be able to use it on the delrin. You could use a die on the end of the link material vs. tapping into the end. This would give you a male thread right on the end of the link that you could thread the rod end right on to.

Wouldn't be quite as strong at the thread area if using delrin, but if you used 8-32 thread sized rod ends, you'd end up still retaining most of the thickness at the threaded portion.

That's just another way to do it....but I would recommend tapping it and using all-thread, grub screws, or even socket cap hardware and then just cut the head off.

[Big Mike]

Drilling and tapping internal threads in the Delrin would be far stronger than using a die to cut external threads...

[Mechanicalbob]

One thing that I use when I work with Derlin, Plexi glass and plastics in general is thread inserts. They hold realy good and I dont have to worry about pulling the threads out of the stuff I am working on. I get mine at my LHS (Local Hardware Store).


Depending on what I am working with I use the plasic inserst and other time I use the self tapping wood inserts.

[tq_racing]

Do they make those threaded inserts small enough for this application? Which one would you recomend?

[Mechanicalbob]

Originally Posted by tq_racing

Do they make those threaded inserts small enough for this application? Which one would you recomend?

I would recomend using the wood inserts as I feel the have better holding power than the press fit ones. They go as small as 4/40 thread.

[tq_racing]

Thanks for the info, I was just at the hardware store yesterday, damn now I have to go back again (the wife dreads me going there) lets see what else I can find, lol.

[666]

It's really not necessary to put inserts in, the delrin holds threads just fine, I bend and break 4mm screws before the threads give out.

[rockmike]

Originally Posted by 666

It's really not necessary to put inserts in, the delrin holds threads just fine, I bend and break 4mm screws before the threads give out.

x2 keep it simple,its not a nuclear reactor.

[mrmaxxman]

Originally Posted by rockmike

x2 keep it simple,its not a nuclear reactor.

x3 plus delrin is really easy to machine also

[gyrene]

Maybe i missed it......where do you get delrin?

[Offroader5]

This is where I get all my plastics: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/cat...ookie%5Ftest=1

[Unholy]

The way I did it very successfully was with:

1 Pot boiling water
1 pot Ice water
Heat resistant Gloves
Prebent Aluminum template

Wear gloves, dip delrin link in boiling water until soft, lift out and bend to match template, dip in ice water til cool. done.

Done it with a torch and ice water previously too. Worked well if you are careful not to blister the delrin while heating.

[braceysdad]

I've used inserts on polyethelyne before. I put the insert on my soldering iron tip and pushed it where I wanted it. Not sure if it would work on delrin.