Re: Is UHMW any good?

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: dhmccauley-at-spacecatlighting-dot-com 

Joe,

I've used UWMH PE for all my primary stand-offs etc...  Its very good stuff.
I've never had a problem machining it.

Also, check the price.  I major reason i chose it was if WAS SUPER CHEAP!
www.mcmaster-dot-com has a hundreds of different
sizes for dirt cheap.  I think I got 8 foot sections of (1.5" x 0.5") for
less than $4.00 each.
www.mcmaster-dot-com might even be cheaper than what you see on EBAY.

Dan



 > Hi Joe,
 >
 > Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyetheylene is super strong tough stuff.  It
 > sort of cuts like chewing gum since the molecules are like 3 millions
atoms
 > long.  Sort of like solid oil...  Any tool will cut it if you go slow so
it
 > does not get too hot.  But, the tools should be razor sharp.  You will
have
 > to take a sharp blade and trim off the access a bit.
 >
 > It has a 600% elongation and could take a hit with a locomotive!!  Very
 > slick and often called the poor man's teflon.  It will not break ;-))
 >
 > Cheers,
 >
 >          Terry
 >
 >
 > At 11:01 AM 3/5/2004, you wrote:
 >
 > >I am now ready to built my primary using copper tubing (my tubing will be
 > >standard 1/4" with 1/4" spacing and I need about 18 turns)
 > >
 > >I saw some UHMW on Ebay cheap which I am thinking would make a good
 > >standoff/holder for the copper pipe. The only thing is I never heard of
 > >UHMW. I assume it is a good insulator but how easy is it to work with?
And
 > >how do you guys get such nice cutouts in your standoffs?  Is it easy to
 > >cut and drill, do I need special tools?
 > >
 > >JC
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >