hybrid PTFE/wood insulator

thingiverse

The experimental insulator comprises of a wooden 5/8" dowel with an M6 bolt drilled through its center for threading. The dowel is hollowed out to accommodate a 1/4" OD, 1/8" ID PTFE tubing, which is threaded using an M6 nut. Upon completion, the PTFE and heater barrel are screwed into the wooden ends until they touch, with any excess PTFE being cut off and drilled again to 1/8". The insulator's finish involves countersinking for a wider opening. Despite challenges in hole centering and verticality due to limited tools, this wood-PTFE insulator may prove more cost-effective and potentially better insulating than current options if wood truly outperforms PTFE/PEEK. However, testing is pending new parts arrival as the extruder is currently broken.