On 2011-11-14, Searcher7 wrote:
I was wondering if it was common to use powered metalworking tools on
plastic.(Nylon, Delrin, ABS, UHMW, PVC, etc.).

Yes.

I assume that as long as melting your way through the stock is not an
issue then it is ok.

Note that some materials will pinch down on a drilled hole, and
otherwise make things more difficult. The main trick is to use *very*
sharp tooling and tune the speed just right. Too fast and you will
overheat the material and it will start to melt and string out. Too
slow, and it will probably pinch more.

Delrin is my favorite of the plastics to machine. (And also
rather expensive compared to some.)

You don't mention Teflon -- which is a nice material to act as a
low-speed bearing, but again will be somewhat hygroscopic (as described
later), so will change dimensions and get tighter or looser.

But is it plausible to expect decent accuracy/tolerances this way?

Define "decent accuracy/tolerances". Most plastics will retreat
from the cutter somewhat, and spring back. This is why the sharpest
tools are the best here.

Nylon (and some others) are hygroscopic -- they absorb water from
the atmosphere, and change dimensions based on that. They also give up
water to the atmosphere when the humidity is low -- changing dimensions
in the other direction.

Look up the characteristics of the materials on web sites to
have an idea what to expect.

Good Luck,
DoN.

--
Remove oil spill source from e-mail
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---