Actually got paid to make something today. A friend needed to build a device similar to a UV sterilizer. A quartz tube inside of a pyrex one. A UV-C lamp in the center starts a polymer reaction in the fluid in the unit. I made the end pieces out of teflon. Not virgin. Also made some threaded parts for some glass cold traps and an adapter for the arm. Threads were 1.375-8. The teflon machined very nice. Used generic carbide for the most part. Tried HSS but the finish wasnt any better. It cut to dimension very well. I dialed 1.375 on the DRO and it was right there. Not springy like some plastics.
And I also got a real job again. At least for about 8 weeks or so. I will be a "Camera Tech" for Laika on their new stop motion film.
A little vid of my 10EE cutting teflon. Kinda shaky since I was holding the iphone with one hand and running the lathe with the other. Click on the video twice to see it in HD on the youtube site.
Teflon parts by macona, on Flickr
End cap by macona, on Flickr