I came across this company the other day and was really impressed with their simple yet sturdy use of skate bearings. I did a search for these machines on the forum but didn't find any mention.

I know it's nothing new with the technique. It just looks much sturdier that using aluminum angle for the bearing mounts.

What do you guys think?

http://k2cnc.com/Picture/KT-2525gallery/index.htm

Yes they do look nice and sturdy.

I have often wondered why round rail was used on a skate bearing set up.
When you think about it, the bearing only comes in contact with a very small part of the rail. Why couldnt a person use a square rod instead, and have the bearing run either on its corner or for that matter on its flats.

I would imagine a square rod been more easier to mount too.

I bought the 39x25x5 machine from them, last summer and have had nothing but good things to say about it. My one has rails and gibs like a lathe

Yes they do look nice and sturdy.

I have often wondered why round rail was used on a skate bearing set up.
When you think about it, the bearing only comes in contact with a very small part of the rail. Why couldnt a person use a square rod instead, and have the bearing run either on its corner or for that matter on its flats.

I would imagine a square rod been more easier to mount too.

I think it's easier to get precision round shafting. I've never seen precision ground square tubing. If you're using gas pipe, that's a different story

I may have one of this machines coming my way. I will do some kind of write-up.

would it be possible for a 3 axis mill/router to make bearings similar to those in my first post?

would it be possible for a 3 axis mill/router to make bearings similar to those in my first post?

Why not...... after all it is just a rectangle piece of alum. You could mill with a big vee bit. You wouldnt get the nice snug round bit that curves around the bearing, but that is just decoration and not necesary.

I dont know how you would accurately drill the bearing mount holes, but maybe you could put an offset pin in that would allow you fine tuning to get the positioning just right.

would it be possible for a 3 axis mill/router to make bearings similar to those in my first post?

Just make a jig or fixture to hold your workpiece at the required angle. Pretty easy if you have a tablesaw.

Just make a jig or fixture to hold your workpiece at the required angle. Pretty easy if you have a tablesaw.

That's an excellent idea.