bearing plastic

[ed will]

Hi, some years ago I bought an Atlas lathe. The fellow gave me some odds and ends that he wouldn't need. In this stuff was some kind of whitish plastic that I used to make wheel bearings. It was 1 1/2" shaft. I just turned it down to fit the hub inside dia. Leaving about 1/8" shoulder then drilled it the size of the axle. I need to make a few more for my carts. The question is: what is this stuff called and where can I get it. I don't need much, maybe a ft. or so x 11/2" dia. Ed Will Oliver BC

 

[TimV]

Could be several things, but nylon would probably be the most common for that application. McMaster-Carr will have it in short lengths.

 

[Janicholson]

Teflon is the preferable material. If it was pretty hard but made beautiful curled chips it might be that. It is a high temperature material and reduced friction. Polish the axle (round and round, not longways) with 600 grit paper to limit wear. Jim
Teflon rods

 

[ed will]

Hi, when I was drilling this stuff , the material just came off and didn't come apart, just wound up like a rat's nest. That might help to identify the stock. Ed Will

 

[Brendon-KS]

As others have indicated it could be any of several types of plastic. Ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) plastic is commonly used for bushings, rollers, slider blocks, skid shoes, chute liners, and many other types of parts. Like TimV stated McMaster-Carr has a broad selection of this material including round stock in many sizes.

 

[NCWayne]

I think McMaster carries plastic bearings and/or material made by IGUS. I've used their stuff in various applications and have always had good results.

 

[Hanky]

You may be thinking of Delrin, think that?s how it?s spelled.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Nylon or Delrin. Delrin is opaque white, usually. Nylon is translucent near the thinner areas.

 

[Leroy]

Try U S Plastics at Lima, Ohio Plastic experts

 

[Texas Cowboy]

One was called nylotron my uncle used it to make pump jack bearings. I don't know if the name was a brand name or the material itself. Tony

 

[unc]

Ed: Norwesco in Calgary used to carry quite a range plastic materials. As another poster noted, Nylotron is one trade name. Lee Valley also had grab bags of UHMW chunks. Either of these plastics will make good low speed bearings, and turn easily. Check around the machine shops that do work for the grape squeezers or sawmill guys- they may have off-cuts in the scrap barrel that you can use. unc

 

[CBBC]

Hi Jim,
Its probably called UHMW. See if you have a place called Industrial Plastics, or google them. There are several in the mainlamd and on the island, I bet there is one in Kelowna. Take a sample, ifits not UHMW, it could be some other grade of plastic / urathane etc... They will have it or can get it.
I use that material to replace the steel bearings on my cranberry picker head. Way less wear to the aluminum cams and guides. I like the black coloured product better, doesnt wear down as fast.
We also use the white UHMW as steady bearings on our lift pump shafts at the bottom, easier and works better than a cutless bearing in this area.
Good Luck, Grant

 

[Dan in North Houston]

go to onlinemetals.com, they have a variety of plastics and also a section that explains each.

 

[ed will]

Hi, thanks to all who replied and led me in the right direction. I may get it at local industrial supply. Ed Wiloliver BC

 

[YNM_O~o]

(quoted from post at 21:21:05 12/11/17) Nylon or Delrin. Delrin is opaque white, usually. Nylon is translucent near the thinner areas.

Delrin comes in black and white. Great tough stuff for bearing surfaces and easy to machine.
http://www.alro.com/divplastics/plasticsproduct_delrin.aspx

 

[John Garner]

Nylon absorbs water, which causes it to swell. Acetyl (commonly spoken as Delrin, which is DuPont's tradename) doesn't absorb nearly as much water as nylon, but does absorb some, which causes it to swell some. The polyethylene plastics -- including the High Density and Ultra High Density flavors that are used as bearing materials -- absorb negligible water.

 

[Bob - MI]

UHMWPE is the best. Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene which is the bearing material used in artificial knees and hip implants.