MEMBER ITEMS FOR SALE
Custom Knives | Other Knives | General Items
-------------------------------------------
New Posts | New PhotosAll Photos



Go Back   The Knife Network Forums : Knife Making Discussions > Custom Knife Discussion Boards > Knife Making Discussions > The Folding Knife (& Switchblade) Forum

The Folding Knife (& Switchblade) Forum The materials, techniques and the designing of folding knives.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-01-2004, 09:44 PM
Southern Yankee Southern Yankee is offline
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
Anyone ever try UHMW for washers??

I was just wondering if anyone has tried making washers out of UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) material before? I have no idea how soft this stuff is, nor how much it might compress. It just peaked my curiosity.
I thought of buying some in block form, plane off some strips and then punching out some washers. I spotted some at woodcraft.com. The description states,"low coefficient of friction and a high abrasion resistance that surpasses even Teflon."

Link: http://www.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/p...8F873021655B9C

I would appreciate any thoughts anyone can give on this, or experiences of those
who may have tried it. I really appreciate it, thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-01-2004, 10:34 PM
DC KNIVES DC KNIVES is offline
Guru
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Satellite Beach, Fl.
Posts: 1,119
First of all, welcome to the Forum. I can't say how it would work for washers on knives simply because I have never tried it.I use it every day at my day job, building machinery.We use it for rollers and rub strips. It is somewhat soft and while slick I don't think it would be a good washer material. Someone may come in that has used it but those are my thoughts on it. I don't make the kind of folders most the makers here make.I do alot of old style friction folders and use a bronze bushing on the pivot and use homemade stainless washers.Hope this helps.Dave
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-02-2004, 06:35 AM
mete's Avatar
mete mete is offline
Master
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NY State
Posts: 777
This is UHMV Polyethylene .www.mcmaster.com sells it .You might contact them for more info. How much different can it be from Nylatron ?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-02-2004, 08:06 AM
Ray Rogers's Avatar
Ray Rogers Ray Rogers is offline
Founding Member / Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Wauconda, WA
Posts: 9,840
Quote:
Originally Posted by mete
How much different can it be from Nylatron ?
Isn't that like asking, "How much different can lead be from gold?" The answer is, "a lot". I've never used it either but I have read several threads about washer materials on this forum in the past and don't recall ever seeing anyone recommend UHMW for washers. I'd be willing to bet there's a reason for that.

I have tried teflon and some types of nylon and none of them have worked as well as Nylotron. But, UHMW is cheap and readily available so it can't hurt to try some if you're curious - that's how most of us have learned what we know in the first place. You'll probably find that it works - almost anything will work - but it probably won't work as well as Nylotron.

Nylotron is available from Sheffield's in sheet form and also from MSC as Specialty Nylon 6/6 with Molybdinum Di-Sulphide in strips or it rods if you want to cut your own thicknesses.....


__________________

Your question may already have been answered - try the Search button first!






Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-02-2004, 03:04 PM
DC KNIVES DC KNIVES is offline
Guru
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Satellite Beach, Fl.
Posts: 1,119
Well we also use nylotron and it is much harder than UHMW.Dave
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-02-2004, 04:15 PM
Southern Yankee Southern Yankee is offline
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
Thanks for the great feedback guys. I had wondered if the material would be softer than Nylatron. I just thought that maybe someone may have had the same thought as mine and tried it. What caught my attention was it's low friction and self lubing properties, similar to Nylatron. Oh well, maybe I'll give it a try in the future and see what happens.
Until then, I think I'll stick with the tried and true...Nylatron. Again thanks for all of your replies and thoughts on the matter. God Bless!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
knives


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:03 AM.




KNIFENETWORK.COM
Copyright © 2000
? CKK Industries, Inc. ? All Rights Reserved
Powered by ...

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
The Knife Network : All Rights Reserved