plastic skid ?s

welderman

welderman

Active Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Location
locust
I have a question. What material do you use to make a plastic skid plate. I have seen some with what looks like cutting board material. I dont know what it is called and where could I get some around the charlotte area. Also whats the best way to attach the skid to the bottom of the frame? Do you use standard bolts or countersunk allen bolts so they do not get hung up on anything. Any information would be great. Thanks Aaron
 
It's called Ultra High Molecular Weight, UHMW more commonly. You can find it in various quantities at woodworking supply houses. It's used for router bases and such, due to it's slipperiness. You may be able to find it at some other material houses like McMaster-Carr or some of the more local houses. Seems most folks use 1/2" or larger, with countersunk bolts. I'd do some cross-bracing behind it to keep it from flexing too much and breaking around the bolts, but seems like it works really well.
 
Golden Rule Plastics in Haw River has great prices. the black (recycled) has better abrasion resistance over the virgin (white)
 
Has anyone tried fastening this stuff to steel skidplates with adhesive, like liquid nails or something? I wonder if it would last or shear off.
 
Adhesives will not adhere to UHMW. Its non porous and won't hold. Basically, its the same as a plastic cutting board
 
They do make an adhesive backed UHMW. It's used for lining table saw fences and such, to give an ultra-slick surface. Unfortunately, it's only about 1/16" thick. I do believe a spray adhesive like a 3M type would bond to it, though. And I belive acetone-based adhesives work too, not that that helps with the skidplate thing. You could bolt it to the plate, though. Then it would be easily removable/replaceable.
 
you can look for HDPE also. I sell both that and UHMW at work. They both get attached with carriage bolts for simplicity. They come in all sorts of colors and thicknesses.
 
Given the cost of that much UHMW and the logistics of attaching it, vs eas of welding etc w/ steel - what's the advantage here? Weight saving?
 
in addition to it being lighter weight...it's not that hard to work with. its easier to cut, it will bend (a little), and it don't rust. i've been pleased with the stuff i used for my belly skid. it's quiet on and off road and just easier to pull on and off than the previous steel skid plates i had.


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I'm curious. Doesn't the rock just kind of dig in and gouge this stuff?
 
I have a belly pan of it. The frame has weld in bungs and I use a counter sink allen bolt to hold it on. I love it and would never consider anything else. It has held up amazingly well to extreme abuse and never leaves me stuck if I have at least one wheel with traction.
 
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