Teflon bearings

[rhrocker]

I noticed that Halperns has some nice thin sheets of teflon now on their site. I was tempted to order some, but I remember someone, at some time, said something along the lines that teflon compresses. This is all I remember, and couldn't find the post right off hand. So, does this make it undesirable? Seems to me that a tiny bit of compression would be a good thing. Now I'm not talking about having to use both hands to open a folder, but rather enough of a bearing to keep all points of contact around the pivot pin touching. Or, am I way off base here? Seems like one of the thicknesses they offer was 5 thousands, which is what I was interested in.

[rhrocker]

Hold up guys, don't start throwing stuff at me. I found some good posts reference this. Seems PB is the way to go. My anxiousness to know right away got ahead of my ability to think rationally and hit the search button a few more times.

[Ray Rogers]

The Search engine is all well and good - and you know I am a big proponent of using it - but sometimes experience is the best teacher. Considering the very low price of teflon it might be worthwhile to just buy some and try it.

I feel like it not only compresses too much but it's too soft and easy to tear up. But, knife supply houses have been selling it for a long time so I deduce someone is buying it because they like it and maybe you would too .....

[rhrocker]

I'm just baffled that something .005 thick, can compress and cause problems. But then, I'm a woodworker.8o

[Don Robinson]

Robert, if you're building a linerlock, your washers should be thicker than .005" to give room for the detent ball.

[rhrocker]

Robert, if you're building a linerlock, your washers should be thicker than .005" to give room for the detent ball.

Now that's a good point! Maybe a minimum or .010?

[Don Robinson]

I wouldn't recommend anything thinner than that. Also, remember that if the ball extends past the other side of the liner, you'll need to provide clearance in the bolster or liner.

[rhrocker]

Right. Johnny Stouts linerlock video (great tape by the way) shows him relieving some material from the bolster because of this same thing. Speaking of teaching material, your "My Way" book has really helped.