Would you beleive I was just brainstorming more ways to improve my current machine?  This backlash is so annoying.  The tighter I make the gibs the more accurate, but the more backlash.  Its a vicious cycle.  The new machine having linear rails will have next to no backlash. 

Pics tomorrow.  Don't let me forget to post them.

nateman_doo
Pics tomorrow.  Don't let me forget to post them.

It's tomorrow

This is my first time really working with Delrin.  I have been polishing this thing for a number of days and I still can't seem to get the swirl marks out.  As seen from straight on in the light you can see the swirl marks:

 
Not the worst, but if you look from the side, you can see this thing has a mirror finish:

the underside of my kitchen cabinet, flowers, and some bag sitting on the counter - in the reflection.
 
And who doesn't like a nice backside?

 
 
 

wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle, yea.

I don't think it's possible to get rid of those "swirl" marks unless you polish it in just one direction, with a preset pattern or make it a matte surface; the "swirls" are very very thin and shallow scratches on all the surface in random directions, so if you light it with a circular light and you see the light reflected on it, you'll see a circular pattern. A matte surface would have very tiny bumps, which sometimes can be seen and other times are practically microscopical, so reflected light would appear blurry to you.

Z, It would take maybe a minute tops for the matte finish.  I used the finest glass beads I can find. 
 
G, I used the buffing wheel in only one direction.  It was in my drill press, and turning, and I held the top perpendicular to the wheel which only went horizontal to the block.

I will try out the bead blasting tonight and see what it looks like.

nateman_doo
I will try out the bead blasting tonight and see what it looks like.

Glad to hear it worked great. Looking forward to seeing pics.

Its over 46000!  I hear Vegeta screaming...

 
I tried a quick blast with the propane torch and I didn't like the results (i tried that first a few days ago).  This stuff isn't exactly acrylic.  There are actual lubricants inside the material so it does funny things.  I think this stuff was designed as a "bearing" surface if I remember, as in you can use it in your dovetails - but its strong enough to make gears out of.
 
Pics to follow of the beadblasting...

I like the satin black look. Good work nate

nateman_doo

zophar
I like the satin black look. Good work nate

Is that what you would like as your finish?

I think that the matte after the buffing wheel like the last one will match my CPU blocks pretty good. Let's go with it.  And if it doesn't match, I'll just have to get a set of DD CPU block and have you make tops out of the same material.

not a problem ;)

It's so pretty.

I am not sure if it would look as pretty:
http://www.mailleartisans...ledisplay.cgi?key=3753