Material for main sheet traveller wheels, Delrin or Acetal

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Peter

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Got to make some new little wheels for my mainsheet traveller, current ones are made of a plastic material, not sure what but have lasted for 20 years. From this and other websites have been told to use Delrin as the material of choice. But when looking and asking co's they all seem to say acetal will do the same job and Delrin is just a DuPont trade name for acetal.. Not so bothered as which to use apart from a small cost saving with acetal But want the best material for the job so any advice on material choice ?

Thanks Peter
 
AFAIK they're the same thing. It's like asking whether you should use Perspex or acrylic, or whether a Hoover is better than a vacuum cleaner.

Pete
 
Delrin is the most commonly used acetal in marine applications. Why try and save a few pennies buying a generic when the best is readily available?
 
I made my traveller wheels from acetal rod, just cut off slices and drilled the bore. Worked fine. As long as it is UV stabalized should be ok.
 
Tranona said:
Delrin is the most commonly used acetal in marine applications. Why try and save a few pennies buying a generic when the best is readily available?
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Are you one of the people who buys expensive paracetamol instead of the supermarket unbranded stuff?
 
No, but go to all that work when the difference in material cost is probably pennies seems false economy.
 
Peter said:
Got to make some new little wheels for my mainsheet traveller, current ones are made of a plastic material, not sure what but have lasted for 20 years. From this and other websites have been told to use Delrin as the material of choice. But when looking and asking co's they all seem to say acetal will do the same job and Delrin is just a DuPont trade name for acetal.. Not so bothered as which to use apart from a small cost saving with acetal But want the best material for the job so any advice on material choice ?

Thanks Peter
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For the amounts you will be using the difference in price will be minimal - Delrin tends to be slightly better quality than generic Acetal which can have some differences in colour through it and be slightly softer and more grainy.

To turn it use aluminium inserts or HSS tools - http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/Tips_For_Aluminium__Sold_per_tip_.html inserts are really good with either. Don't try sanding or wet and dry as it doesn't work - turned fast with a sharp tool and you can get an almost polished finish. Either are really nice to turn and mill and you can take some very big cuts.

I can recommend DirectPlastics at http://www.directplastics.co.uk/ as a good source, I buy in metre lengths but they will sell small amounts.
 
Well I am surprised that any of those materials are adequate for traveller wheels. My traveller on 21ft TS gets a real punishing. We use the traveller a lot and often find the main sheet too tight such that traveller won't roll easily. That is with stainless steel wheels on ball bearings. I have worn out one traveller car wheel bearings. I have also worn out the ali track over 35 years. So if you like to flog the boat hard I think you need really hard wheel material. good luck olewill
 
William_H said:
Well I am surprised that any of those materials are adequate for traveller wheels. My traveller on 21ft TS gets a real punishing. We use the traveller a lot and often find the main sheet too tight such that traveller won't roll easily. That is with stainless steel wheels on ball bearings. I have worn out one traveller car wheel bearings. I have also worn out the ali track over 35 years. So if you like to flog the boat hard I think you need really hard wheel material. good luck olewill
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Metal wheels running on ali track will be harsh. Plastic might actually work better. It will certainly be kinder to the track.
Once the track is worn, everything gets a hard life.
You can get stainless ball races, maybe that with a pastic 'tyre' might be an option.
Recirculating ball travellers are the way to go, but don't usually come cheap.
 
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