The jury is in on ZCI material

[Bill Huber]

The for what its worth department.

I have tried different materials for making my ZCI and have now settled on the one I really like the best.

UHMW
I bought some that were already fitted to my saw and all I had to do was run the blade up.

Pros:
They look good
They are smooth

Cons:
After being in the saw for 2 weeks they bowed in the center


Plywood:

Pros:
Very easy to work with
Cheap to buy

Cons:
You can not really tap it for a 10-32 set screw. You can screw the set screw in and it will hold but its not really tapped.
The surface is just not as smooth as the UHMW
Its light weight
Will not hold a spiral pin for a lock that good.

MDF

Pros:
Very easy to work with.
Cheap to buy
Machines really nice
Is very smooth

Cons:
You can not tap it for a set screw, again the set screw will screw in and hold but the hole is still not tapped.
Its light weight
I will not hold a spiral pin good at all, comes loose after awhile

Phenolic
Pros:
Looks very nice
Are very smooth
The machine really well
You can tap holes in it.
The hold a spiral pin very well

Cons:
They do cost more


So now I have gone to Phenolic all the way, they look and work very well. The cost is a little higher then MDF or Plywood but to me it is worth it.
I now buy a sheet of 1/2 inch for $24 and I can make 3 ZCI out of it, $8 is just not that much for a ZCI that will last forever.
They really tap well and with a drop of Blue Locktite the set screw hold great. I can install a spiral pin in the end as a safety so it can not come out in the back.