Ultimate Washer Material?

Peter Atwood

Peter Atwood

Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Messages
2,468
I've been digging through the archives and have found many interesting threads from the early days. One thing I'm wondering is, what is the final word on the best washer material? I think Nylatron is mentioned quite often as being the best all around material but there are also the phosphor bronze advocates and the nylon enthusiasts. One maker I talked to, Rob Davidson, mentioned some sort of oil cloth material. Are there any other suitable washer materials?

I have used Nylatron and it seems to work great. Where is the best source for sheets of this stuff? I need some .015 or .020 thick material. Also, I am ordering some arch punches from MSC to cut it with and I'm taking the couple of threads about washer size pretty seriously. The bigger the better so that you have more lateral support. Is there a better way to punch the material?

Is there another name for "nylatron?" McMaster-Carr doesn't list it as such nor does Travers yet earlier posts indicate that both companies carry it. The only "nylatron" that MC lists is ..031 washers.
 
Peter,
I've tried them all and still prefer Teflon. One considertion is that the back spacer and blade plus washers are the same thickness. If it isn't parallel, they will get pinched either open or closing the knife.
I punch washers (.015 and .020)from Teflon sheet I get from MSC.
 
Peter,
First you should buy a gasket making punch set from msc. They range in size from 1/8 to 1/2 in increments. They come with a die to punch the washers out in the size you need. I use the phosphor bronze washers. The nylon ones suck, they are not that smooth and need oil. The bronze ones are self lubricating and you can buy it in sheets that are .005 thick. Peter if you would like to buy some I have more than i'll ever need and i'll sell you some if your interested, msc sells it by the roll which is 8 feet long. Email me outside of the forums.

Chuck
 
Peter email me with the ID and the OD I may be able to puch some out for you. The biggest OD I can punch is .5 inch and the smalest ID I can punch is 3/32.
 
Thanks for the comments and the offers guys! I'm going to give the phosphor bronze a try but I suspect that if Kit Carson uses teflon then it's probably a winner as well. I've handled a Carson folder at a show and it was smooooooth. COuldn't quite afford it though...:(

Thanks for offering to punch me out Ray :D but I think I'm going to try to get my own set up together. My goal is to gather enough materials and machinery together so that when my incoming workload slows down, which it always does in the middle of the winter, then I will have some time to put together some folders. Meanwhile I have plenty of time to think about designs and approaches. Tom Anderson's workshop was tremendously helpful but the ultimate effect on my wallet could be dangerous!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top