Comments | solarbird: more and more like a star trek panel

solarbird

more and more like a star trek panel

Feb 22, 2016 08:30

So following up on materials suggestions made in response to the previous post on this stage monitor project, I’ve been playing with Delrin (acetal copolymer), a long-polymer-chain plastic.

It looks even more old-Star-Trek than the diagrammes I made. Seriously, I’m wondering if they made the bridge consoles out of this stuff. Cut a bunch of holes ( Read more... )

touring equipment, diy

Comments 7

nojay February 22 2016, 22:43:10 UTC

Delrin turns nicely in a lathe and, I've been told, it machines nicely too unlike polyethylene which tends to melt onto the cutting tool if it gets hot. When drilling you have to get the heat out of the hole as the plastic doesn't conduct heat away. The pros suggest pecking (pulling the drill bit out of the hole regularly which also clears chips) and the use of a waxy lube to keep side friction down.

solarbird February 23 2016, 03:33:18 UTC

A couple of people have noted its machining properties. I don't have real machining gear, I have THE POWER OF DREMEL and stuff. And it sure works well for that! So I could believe it.

I didn't have any problems with heat when drilling. The only time I had melting at all was in cutting the panel rectangle off the larger sheet with a cutting wheel.

absynthe77 February 23 2016, 02:08:47 UTC

That looks awesome!

The double tape job is smart, I haven't had to use that methodology for a while, but next time I do, I'll do it your way.
Definitely rocking the Star Trek vibe, too.

If you do find yourself having to drill deeper holes in delrin, or most other plastics for that matter, a 4:1 mix of water and dishsoap in a spray bottle will help keep things cool while cutting. Apply liberally and enjoy clean drilling.

And nojay, it's a dream to lathe and machine. Clean, easy cutting, geometrically stable... all the good things.

solarbird February 23 2016, 03:39:20 UTC

I'm really happy that I'm making STAR TREK BRIDGE PANELS (almost) (kinda) (not really but maybe out of the same stuff) (XD)

resonant February 23 2016, 05:07:52 UTC

Interesting.

tereshkova2001 February 23 2016, 20:07:11 UTC

Cool stuff! Thanks for the details.
You can heat up the rods with a heat gun and bend them to shape that way; they hold the new shape but keep their flex. I don't recall what the necessary temperature is, though.

solarbird February 23 2016, 22:31:02 UTC

The range of temperatures produced by heat guns vary wildly but I suspect it's towards the lower end of the range. (Particularly if you were not also setting things on fire. XD )

I wonder if you could semi-mould it by putting a sheet of it in an oven over a form. Or into a form, right? It'd have to be a pretty durable form tho'. Probably adhere to the plastic, too. Hmf.