Kitebuilder.com

kitepoor · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2003 9:51 pm Post subject: Can I machine a fitting my self?

You have several plastics listed for sale on your site. How can I learn about machineing them, and their best uses? I am still working on a bird design in my head. I ordered two fishing rod blanks to try for wing spars, and will use p300's I think for the spine. So I think I will have an odd sized dihedral block. I have to play with the tapered spars to make sure that they do the things I want them to do... I suppose I could bow it instead.
_________________
Randy
a kite a nice thing
kite in the air a beautiful thing
kites to share the coolest thing

KiteSquid · Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2003 7:49 am Post subject:

To learn how to machine plastics I sujest you get a copy of small parts inc's catalog and look at the properties of the plastic you want to use.

I recomend ABS over UHMW polyethelene as it can get a little sloppy in the heat of summer.

Try working ABS like you would do wood, but use shallow cuts an a lower bit speed if you experacne any melting. Also use SHARP tools...

Can Tony chime in here too???
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VR/
KiteSquid
AKA TakoIka
AKA Harold
King George VA

P.S. Yet another post by the Squid..... Shocked

Doesent he ever shut up???

P.P.S. The wind is like the air, only pushier.

stevef · Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2003 10:41 am Post subject:

hey poor.... kinda hard to teach you how to machine here on line, but i can give you some info on the plastics:

ABS - For the do-it-yourselfer who wants to machine his/her own custom fittings. Acrylonitrite-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) is a versatile thermoplastic which combines stiffness, machinability, and impact resistance. Unlike Delrin, ABS can be glued with CA adhesive.

DELRIN - A polymer with a high melting point. Great strength, stiffness and abrasion resistance are among the significant property advantages. Parts are easily fabricated with hand tools. Cannot be glued with CA adhesive.

UHMW - Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene is a light weight, high tensile strength and as simple to machine as wood. UHMW is self-lubricating, shatter resistant, and abrasion resistant. Cannot be glued.

WEIGHT - ABS is 53% lighter than aluminum. UHMW is 12% lighter than ABS.

Of all our plastics, we use ABS most often. Our T-fittings, Machined End Caps, Nocks, Pushers, and Tinkertoys are all made from ABS. The old Man uses UHWM on his kites that rotate. The self lubricating properties work well for his applications.
_________________
Steve Ferrel
Go Build a Kite!
Measure once, buy twice!

kitepoor · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 3:29 pm Post subject:

I have played with UHMW for other applications. It works with saws, routers, drills easily, basiclly like wood. I see that you have ABS and I wondered if it worked with similiar tools.
_________________
Randy
a kite a nice thing
kite in the air a beautiful thing
kites to share the coolest thing

stevef · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 3:34 pm Post subject:

yep, the ABS will be just as "easy" for you to drill..... ABS is "harder" or "more dense" than the UHWM..... but it is still rather easy to machine.

The key is having the right tool for the job!

-s
_________________
Steve Ferrel
Go Build a Kite!
Measure once, buy twice!

gduran · Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 36 Location: Argentina

Check :
http://www.matweb.com
Cheers
Gerry