I purchased a commercial zero clearance made from plastic (UHMW, whatever that is). I now realize that it has a bow in it. Any ideas on how to flatten it?
I don't know if it will work, but UHMW has a rather low melting point - so you could throw it in the oven for a few minutes at around 250-300F to soften it up, then clamp it between two boards until it cools. I know it works with HDPE, which is also polyethylene, and what I make my band saw and scroll saw inserts out of from recycled milk and fabric softener jugs (using the oven at 350F).
Cheers,
Brad
PS: UHMW is ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (sometimes also called UHMWPE). HDPE is high density polyethylene. Both are very similar in properties.
I don t know if it will work, but UHMW has a rather low melting point - so you could throw it in the oven for a few minutes at around 250-300F to soften it up, then clamp it between two boards until it cools. I know it works with HDPE, which is also polyethylene, and what I make my band saw and scroll saw inserts out of from recycled milk and fabric softener jugs (using the oven at 350F).
A quick search on this site for HDPE will give you tons of info, or google HDPE recycling… and there is no smell or fumes, so the KOTW (keeper of the whip) doesn't even know This thread has a bit more info in it, and is probably what got me started: Milk-jug mallet
A quick search on this site for HDPE will give you tons of info, or google HDPE recycling… and there is no smell or fumes, so the KOTW (keeper of the whip) doesn t even know This thread has a bit more info in it, and is probably what got me started: Milk-jug mallet
Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
If it is as you say commercial , the manufacturer or the seller should replace it. One thing if you got it on craigslist for near nothing you might tinker with it, another if you paid full price for a brand new item.
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