Has anyone ever tried using Teflon for a tenon? On my first experiment at making a Churchwarden I made my tenon too small. Since I didn't want to waste the piece I just wrapped the tenon with Teflon tape... it's a shop pipe after all. But then I realized I love the way the tenon slips into the mortise. Smooth, with the proper amount of friction, but none of the 'sticktion' that acrylic has, and still smoother than Delrin.
I've never seen it done, so I'm guessing there's a reason no one uses Teflon, but what is that reason?
Teflon tenon
Re: Teflon tenon
I have used teflon pipe thread tape as a temporary fix in the past (come to think of it, there are a few pipes in one of my racks that still have tape on tenons). The problem is... each time you remove the stem from the pipe, you will most likely need to re-tape, and this contributes to the inconsistency of tenon diameter, which has the potential of causing the mortise to stretch, and ultimately the potential of cracking.
Delrin is a harder variety of Teflon, and will last a very long time.
I hope this helps.
Delrin is a harder variety of Teflon, and will last a very long time.
I hope this helps.
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Re: Teflon tenon
Tefon is used somewhat by European makers and Briar Works International (Todd Johnson/Pete Prevost) are reportedly using Teflon. They are touting a mechanical lock as well as ultrasonic welding. Speculation on my part but I would think for the sake of economy and uniformity their tenons would be injection molded. Up front costs are high but the parts are dirt cheap cost-wise and mechanically uniform.
Delrin is "stiffer" than Teflon and Teflon is of course "slicker".
Delrin is "stiffer" than Teflon and Teflon is of course "slicker".
Re: Teflon tenon
Marco Janzen sells pre-made Teflon tenons, they are very good. Cost is quite high but very convenient, I prefer a threaded tenon though.
Re: Teflon tenon
McMaster Carr sells Teflon-impregnated Delrin.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#delrin-af-(mad ... n)/=utacs6
http://www.mcmaster.com/#delrin-af-(mad ... n)/=utacs6
Ryan Richardson
R2 Pipes/Ryan's Luxury Goods
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"You can't convince a stupid person that what he's doing is stupid, because the stupidness inside him is telling him that it's smart"
R2 Pipes/Ryan's Luxury Goods
______________________________________
"You can't convince a stupid person that what he's doing is stupid, because the stupidness inside him is telling him that it's smart"
Re: Teflon tenon
Teflon makes great tenons, I've been using it for years on acrylic stems. Works very much like delrin. Rough it up, give the glue something to stick to.
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Re: Teflon tenon
This could(and should) be taken out of context.Sasquatch wrote:Rough it up, give the glue something to stick to.