UHMW Polyethelene washers for blade bushings?

J

JackOfLittle

Joined
Jul 20, 2014
Messages
19
I know that UHMW is a fairly well known material. I first became acquainted with it in ME101-materials science class a few years ago.

After messing around with this little cheapo Ganzo 717, I looked at the nylon washers and wondered if I could find some brass or silicone bronze/ phosphor bronze replacements. After taking some rough measurements of the bushings (I.D. 0.234-0.24" for non interference fit O.D. ~0.5" Thickness 0.0195") and finding no exact fits on McMaster-Carr, my mind wandered a bit and I thought of UHMW.

A quick search on McMaster-Carr for a suitable washer yielded a part #95649A232 as most suitable option for a blade pin - bushing non interference fit. (I.D. 0.26", O.D. 0.5", Thickness Min./Max. 0.02"/0.04") The thickness may be a bit excessive, but may be able to be amended with some polishing.

I decided to measure my BM-553's phosphor bronze washers. I found the following measurements:
I.D. 0.217"-0.22"
O.D. 0.6"
Thickness 0.025"

I'm wondering if UHMW's exceptional wear resistance, low environmental interactivity, and low coefficient of friction would make it a suitable replacement bushing.

Thoughts?
-Lewis
 
I think it would come down to how tight the pivot is on that knife, if it's an adjustable pivot knife, then I think you'd be good to go. I've found often times materials like UHMW can be smoother than metallic washers.

Good luck!
 
It is an adjustable pivot.
It's a benchmade/sebenza copy thing.
ganzo_G717y_12475580.jpg
 
Well let us know how the Polyethelene works out. Should be OK since you can tighten or loosen the pivot as needed.
 
I haven't used UHMW PE for washers, but I have used delrin. I got some 0.020" sheet from McMasterCarr that I made into washers. I have them in a Chill and Tenacious, haven't had any problems with them.

I like the delrin because it doesn't deform or cold flow like teflon does.

Ric
 
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