There are worse things …. But!

[Moparfiend]

So I’m working on getting the kickdown linkage ratio to match my throttle linkage travel on a custom set up. Fun stuff!

So I’m looking for a specific nylon piece that I can tap a 5/16-18 and have the outer diameter match the inner diameter of my carburetor throttle bracket to use as a bushing.

Digging through all my stash, I find almost the exact piece I need. I have only one. I don’t know where I got it.

So I tap it out and it’s perfect! Just the right size! I slowly file the length to get it to where I to be. But because it’s nylon it’s taking a long time and I’m getting close but it’s taking a really long time and I’m thinking I should just put this on my mini belt sander and just get it done.

Then, I think no it’s probably gonna fly out of my fingers and I’ll lose it. But then I think I really don’t wanna spend any more time filing this sucker and if it falls, I’ll just pick it up it up no big deal. How far could it roll?

So, I belt sanded it a bit and I get real close. I mean really close but I need just a little bit more and rather than file it down on the final pass of course I go back to the sander.

……….and bink it flys away and after looking for this small nut sized nylon piece for what seemed like an hour moving equipment, sweeping and being on my hands and knees in a 110°F garage it’s freaking gone! Nowhere to be seen……..

It’s not the first time something like this has happened, but dang those small parts in a garage…..and the desire to speed up the job makes a plethora of disappointment and frustration. It wouldn’t be so bad but I know I’ll never find a piece of nylon exactly the same.

But yes, there are worse things….

 

[Schultz64]

The easiest way to find something you've lost is to buy or make a replacement. Almost immediately the lost part will materialize

 

[Moparfiend]

The easiest way to find something you've lost is to buy or make a replacement. Almost immediately the lost part will materialize

Yes when I am all done with the new one it will take the transporter back to the garage.

 

[Under Pressure]

The easiest way to find something you've lost is to buy or make a replacement. Almost immediately the lost part will materialize

That answers why I have more 10mm sockets and wrench’s today than I had 5 years ago

 

[davek]

Yep lost my k frame bolts and got another set. Guess what I found today.

 

[1STMP]

Get you a chunk of Delrin Acetal.
Much more machineable.
Stronger and less previous to
heat and chemicals.
(the white plastic type cutting
boards you'll find at Walmart
are delrin). Tough stuff.

 

[gkent]

(the white plastic type cutting
boards you'll find at Walmart
are delrin). Tough stuff.

No they're not, they're HDPE (food grade). There are VERY FEW retail type products made of Acetal or Delrin - its just a little too special for "average" use.

These are very machineable but you won't find pieces anywhere but from a plastics distributor (like I was before retirement !!) and they'll have minimum purchase requirements. McMaster Carr will have what you need but what you're doing just isn't worth the cost.

Your material choices for something like this are:
Nylon - ideal for bushings but not easily macineable
Acetal/Delrin - ideal and machines nicely
UHMW - good but doesn't machine very well
HDPE - probably too soft for what you're doing
Teflon - not for what you're doing


Give me the rough dimensions of your piece.

Have you considered an over-the-counter bronze bushing instead of dicking around with this?

 

[Moparfiend]

Found it! It flew into the garbage can! I sifted all my trash and there laying in the bottom mixed with metal and wood saw dust was the threaded nylon bushing.
I finished machining it and installed it!