Thread: Source for slippery plastic?

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Ok, I know thats an odd title.

I'm looking for a source (or alternative for) that slippery plastic they use on those "magic movers" furniture movers, or the pads on the underside of a computer mouse.

I'm almost done my coffin thumper... The thump is made by a lever arm, made of an aluminum square rod, which is spring loaded via bungee cord. My wiper motor turns and the ball on the end of the motor arm slides across the aluminum rod, pushing it down.

Works great, but there's an audible metallic scraping sound as the arm slides across the lever...

I'd like to get a thin piece of some sort of that slippery plastic to attach to the lever arm to quiet (and give longevity) to the whole thing. No clue where to get some without buying a huge magic mover and cutting it up - expensive.

I'm open to alternatives... but it needs to be sturdy enough to not break apart.

Any thoughts? I'll have pictures and/or a video of it posted soon.

Edit: Things I've already considered but wont work:
Plastic wrap. Too thin. Will tear.
Piece of acrylic plasic. Too brittle, will break.
Piece of one of those thin plastic cutting boards, the kind that are bendy... I'm afraid it wont hold up to the pressure of the friction and will split in half, because it's likely too thin.

I have no experience with these, but Have you tried a piece of Formica laminate counter material? Just a guess, but it may be an option that could work..

you are looking for teflon

Originally Posted by ernstdesigns

I have no experience with these, but Have you tried a piece of Formica laminate counter material? Just a guess, but it may be an option that could work..

Ooh... thats an idea. That stuff is tough as nails.

As for teflon - didnt realize that was a plastic - always just thought it was a... 'coating'...

grease on the aluminum

I think you are looking for UHMD (Ultra High Molecular Density) Plastic. It looks like Nylon (usually white) and can even be cut and routed like wood. This is a product that a lot of machinists and woodworkers use for jigs and things where binding or sticking is an issue. You may have to look around hard in your are to find the stuff (i know of at least 2 suppliers close to me). The stuff can be expensive in larger sizes but if you only need some as a bumper then you should have no problems finding what you need. I have used it myself to make a special jig for my router table and it works great. Do a Google for UHMD plastics and see what you come up with in your area. Best of luck......"Scruff.

That grease will rub off on just one pass. Its not two plates, but the 'ball' on the end of a wiper motor arm rubbing across a flat surface.

Originally Posted by Scruffywolf

I think you are looking for UHMD (Ultra High Molecular Density) Plastic. It looks like Nylon (usually white) and can even be cut and routed like wood. This is a product that a lot of machinists and woodworkers use for jigs and things where binding or sticking is an issue. You may have to look around hard in your are to find the stuff (i know of at least 2 suppliers close to me). The stuff can be expensive in larger sizes but if you only need some as a bumper then you should have no problems finding what you need. I have used it myself to make a special jig for my router table and it works great. Do a Google for UHMD plastics and see what you come up with in your area. Best of luck......"Scruff.

Awesome. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks! I only need a piece about 3/4" wide by 2-3" long so I cant imagine it'd be that expensive... problem is finding just a small piece.

For any others reading: A google and amazon search redirected me to UHMW plastic (weight, not density) that seems to be the more common term. Now I just gotta find a small enough piece.

Either teflon or ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene. Low friction coefficient, great for sliding surfaces.

Look at McMaster-Carr's website at www.mcmaster.com and search for UHMW. Sheets, bars, rounds, all kinds.

Originally Posted by Bryan316

Either teflon or ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene. Low friction coefficient, great for sliding surfaces.

Look at McMaster-Carr's website at www.mcmaster.com and search for UHMW. Sheets, bars, rounds, all kinds.

Kick ass. Thanks. I gotta buy a 5' piece of it for $4.60 but its exactly what I was needing. Now to scour the site for other stuff I might need!