|
Recycled Plastic Lumber
Recycled Plastic
Furniture
Recycled Plastic Bollards
Ground Reinforcement
Recycled Plastic Fencing
Planters and Raised Beds
Recycled Plastic Walkways
Schools
Marine environments
Estate management
Angling Clubs
Working with our material
Our manufacturing process
External Links
See
our full range
of recycled plastic and recycled rubber products on our
new website!
Call now on
0845 050 8415
or send an
email
Visit us at
Ecobuild 2009!
 |
Working
with our materials
Our recycled composite profiles
(RCP’s) can be worked in principle in the same manner as wood
with the same woodworking tools. For sawing and drilling we
recommend working the RCP steadily and slowly. The general rule
is to choose a cutting speed which prevents the material melting
on the surface of the tool.
At low
temperatures, the RCP’s will be slightly stiffer. However, due to
the combination of materials used in the construction, the RCP’s
exhibit good physical properties to at least 20 degrees below
zero. In warm weather conditions the material tends to become
slightly tougher and more flexible.
-
Drilling
Use metal or wood bits (HSS or
HM type). Spiral or speed bits are both acceptable – do not
use a high drilling speed. See table below.
-
Sawing
RCP’s can be sawn with a
handsaw, circular saw or a chop saw. See table below.
-
Rolling, Milling and Planing
All of these techniques can be
used with the British Recycled Plastic RCP’s. Care is
required and experimentation on scrap material is advised.
|
|
Units |
Drilling |
Circular Saw |
Band
Saw |
Milling |
|
Clearance Angle |
Degrees |
10 – 12 |
10 – 15 |
30 – 40 |
5 – 15 |
|
Cutting Edge Side Rake |
Degrees |
3 - 5 |
0 – 15 |
0 – 5 |
0 – 15 |
|
Cutting Speed |
m/minute |
50 – 100 |
<3000 |
500 – 1500 |
<1000 |
|
Tooth
Distance |
mm |
- |
>10 |
>5 |
- |
|
Tool
Cutting Edge Angle |
Degrees |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Nose
Angle |
Degrees |
60 – 90 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Feed |
Mm/rotation |
0.2 – 0.5 |
- |
- |
0.1 – 0.5 |
|
Technique |
Comment |
|
Nails |
British Recycled Plastic RCP’s
can be nailed but experience has shown that it is
advisable to pre-drill. |
|
Screws |
It is preferable to pre-drill the
holes for the screws and to deepen the holes when
using screws with a countersink head. If this is not
done, the material around the screw head has a
tendency to bulge slightly. This bulge can be removed with
a sharp knife. |
|
Construction Staples |
Stapling
is possible but we recommend against using stapling
as a constructive connection. |
|
Bolts |
Bolts
must have a clearance hole drilled that can
accommodate the size of the bolt being used. |
|
Slits |
Slits can be made by drilling a number of holes next
to each other and by removing the walls between
drilled walls either by moving the drill sideways
or by using a mill drill bit. |
|
Welding |
British Recycled Plastic RCP’s
are manufactured using mixed plastics that improve
the structural performance of the material however
welding has not been shown to produce acceptable joint
strength and therefore is not recommended. |
|
Gluing |
In
general, gluing does not produce acceptable results
therefore is not recommended. |
|
