Abstract A machine to measure the creep deformation of plastics under uniaxial compressive loads is described. The problems associated with accurate creep testing in compression, primarily the application of a uniform stress to the specimen and the measurement of the resultant strain, receive particular attention. For the specimen geometries used, the effect on the measured strain of frictional restraints at the specimen ends is negligible provided the strain measurement is made with an extensometer attached to the specimen. The effect of fabrication techniques on the deformation behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) has been examined. Sintering time and temperature are found to be the most significant variables in the processing of PTFE. A comparison of uniaxial tensile and compressive creep data has shown that the non‐linear viscoelastic behavior of the material extends into the low strain region.