dlaery Posted December 20, 2016 Report Share Posted December 20, 2016 I was wondering if anyone has ever milled some flat bar teflon. I want to mill a cavity in some 1" sq x 1/4" thick. I need to put a pocket in this about .070" deep, so does it mill good? this is for a mold pouring lead. I used aluminum and it sucks the heat out too fast to get a complete pour and I thought maybe Teflon wouldn't suck the heat out so fast. this stuff is $2.35 a sq in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted December 20, 2016 Report Share Posted December 20, 2016 We have stuff milled at work for our use, so yes it can be done. I have drilled, routed, tapped etc.. teflon in the past but don't have a CNC mill. Now lets go to the potential real issue. Working temperatures of lead are typically higher (200 -300 ° more) than decomposition temperatures of teflon and can result in some rather unpleasant side effects (aka: Teflon flu). While the temperatures will not be sustained for excessive times I wouldn't think it would hold up very long to repeated excursions outside its recommended temperature range of good quality teflon and depending on your source of Teflon could be looking at 100 degree lower maximum temp. Vespel or Kapton would likely be better options. May find out you can get away with using teflon but have to replace every so many casts and work in properly vented set up. May start off just pouring some lead onto the teflon and see what happens before vesting too much time into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshng2 Posted December 20, 2016 Report Share Posted December 20, 2016 Just a thought. What if you mount the aluminum mold to Steel Blocks to regulate the heat? Less of a health concern than polymer fume fever from teflon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretcher66 Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 can you pre-heat the aluminum so it give more pour time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy1976 Posted December 21, 2016 Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 Are you using a ladle or spoon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaery Posted December 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2016 never heard of "Teflon flu" and I don't want it. I've had super glue flu and that it bad stuff! ok, so no Teflon. I think I can make one out of vulcanized silicone. Yes, using 32oz ladle, this is a spincast mold. I did heat the parts loaded in the mold with the top off the mold. Heated to 350F for 10 minutes, then put the top on put in the machine and got 75% of the cavities good parts, but the problem is the aluminum piece and 2 other metal parts. so I am going to try the silicone in place of the aluminum this is not a fishing lure. My son says I don't know how to say no. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
