best bearings configuration for z axis for manual wood joint maker

[endgrainguy]

I'm looking to make a functional copy of the JDS multirouter, or the Woodworkers Supply Matchmaker (which i own). This is a machine that holds a router horizontally over a table that moves in x and y axis under lever control, with a second lever controlling the z axis. Its frequently used with templates that a stylus attached to the router holder follows, making tenons, and dovetails, and angled mortises. I love my cheap little Matchmaker, but I want longer x axis, (1 want at least 24", double what I have) and maybe a little more robust construction. My scale of production is such that I'm often making simple cuts on stacks of parts, maybe 20-200 identical parts, uually too small to be held well by vacuum (I think), so clamping and loading takes longer than the 10 seconds or so neccessary to cut the joint, so I"ve never seen the value for me for CNC rather than template followed, and it would be a whole new subject for me. I bought surplus on ebay, a heavily built x-y table using thk rails and bearings -very heavily built with no play and very free motion. I"m now looking for recomendations for a z axis assembly. It wants to guide a horizontally held router with about 4-8" of travel. Thanks. See my work at www.alladd.com

[margni74]

Originally Posted by endgrainguy I'm looking to make a functional copy of the JDS multirouter, or the Woodworkers Supply Matchmaker (which i own). This is a machine that holds a router horizontally over a table that moves in x and y axis under lever control, with a second lever controlling the z axis. Its frequently used with templates that a stylus attached to the router holder follows, making tenons, and dovetails, and angled mortises. I love my cheap little Matchmaker, but I want longer x axis, (1 want at least 24", double what I have) and maybe a little more robust construction. My scale of production is such that I'm often making simple cuts on stacks of parts, maybe 20-200 identical parts, uually too small to be held well by vacuum (I think), so clamping and loading takes longer than the 10 seconds or so neccessary to cut the joint, so I"ve never seen the value for me for CNC rather than template followed, and it would be a whole new subject for me. I bought surplus on ebay, a heavily built x-y table using thk rails and bearings -very heavily built with no play and very free motion. I"m now looking for recomendations for a z axis assembly. It wants to guide a horizontally held router with about 4-8" of travel. Thanks. See my work at www.alladd.com

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