FR2 is the brownish material that many cheap circuit boards are made of. It’s a mixture of phenolic resin and paper. Apparently it’s quite useful to make gears out of:

Phenolic Gears exhibits superior shear force, help reduce machinery noise, absorbs destructive vibration unlike metal gears, phenolic is non-conductive, protects the mating metal gear train, and are known to outlast metal gears under severe continuous service. (source: https://www.knowbirs.com/phenolic-gears )

(Main pic stolen from here)

(Many more pics here)

Has anyone seen these used anywhere? I’ve read a hint regarding pool equipment, but I have never seen them there. I assume the fibres allow them to last longer than plastic/resin only gears.

  • Nerb@techhub.social
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    7 days ago

    @liquefy4931 @Gronk

    The impeller for my pool heater failed several years ago . They did not sell the part and my attempts to glue the old one failed after a short time The temporary impeller I made with the printer is still going strong . Removed it awhile back and it looks fine.

    Speaking of fixes, the air compressor I bought to inflate tires was useless as it took forever to inflate a tire. Thought it was bad so returned it and bought a new one.

    Turned out its a safety feature they lower the output to the point it is useless. I took the regulator apart and figured if I redesigned one part it would allow more air to flow . 2 new o-rings to seal it and a bit of silicone lube and I’ve been inflating tires happily since. The old setup took a few minutes to bring a car tire from 28 to 32 PSI. It now does it under a minute.

    Plastic 3d printed part to improve the flow from the air compressor. It is round and has two slots in the side to hold o-rings. Both ends are recessed into the body and it has a tube protruding from one side that has a hole in it to allow air to bleed out for pressure release.