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| The Sequel - Oh Blimey I bought a CNC Lathe (Beaver TC 20) |
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| awemawson:
I made it a few years back after Ade made mammoth chunks for his dry sump machining - thread here I think: https://www.madmodder.net/index.php/topic,7213.msg77229.html#msg77229 I got hold of a sack of plastic injecting pellets they were MDPE and I bought candle wax pellets in large quantities on eBay. IIRC it was about a 50:50 mix and gentle warming, wax first then stir in the MDPE. Some people use actual candles and plastic bags. |
| AdeV:
--- Quote from: awemawson on March 10, 2021, 04:35:33 PM ---Some people use actual candles and plastic bags. --- End quote --- Been there, done that.... I used some plastic pellets I bought from a supplier (they were LDPE rather than medium density), and some scrap candle wax I bought off eBay to make mine. Ratio is 4:1 wax to plastic, although there's plenty of scope for variation. I think the late John Stevenson compared a sample of mine with some commercial stuff, mine was a bit softer, but not a lot in it. |
| awemawson:
I've used plastic milk bottles, cut up blue water main, and eventually some injection moulding chips from the Polypipe factory used to make underground water fittings. Thinking about it I seem to remember that I got my wax pellets from you Ade :scratch: It all machines nicely but sharp edges can be fragile. |
| Muzzerboy:
Sounds as if polythene / LDPE actually dissolves in paraffin wax if you heat it. Is that the case? The thermometer in that other thread suggested 170C. You live and you learn! |
| awemawson:
Yes, heat the wax up to melt it and slowly stir in your chosen plastic. You have to be careful not to set the wax on fire by heating too fast ! |
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