how can i melt plastic into solid machinable blocks?

Question

Can I purchase plastic blocks anywhere? i want to be able to machine plastic blocks the diameter of a quarter and >1/2" thick.
I purchased some Alumilite but that stuff is too expensive to be experimenting with.

Answer 1

The problem is that certain plastics have properties that make it impossible to melt back down into a machinable block, look on the internet for different types of recyclable plastics, you will have a better chance of melting them down. Make sure that when you do melt them down, use something other than an open flame directly on the plastic, if you have an old pot, put that on a burner on you stove and that might work, it might also ruin the pot so make sure it is alright to use it, once melted, make sure you have a mold in which you can pour the plastic and it won't stick to it.

Answer 2

Depending on what you want to with it, you may need to look at machinable wax. These are sold to train workers in machine usage and practice and to make certain prototypes. They can be remelted and cast into blocks or other shapes. (The link will take you to one source.) There are a large variety of waxes the general public does not know about that are used for jewelry making and other lost wax casting. Some of them are more like plastics than anything used for making candles.