Anyone have a source and specs for these rod supports?

[slickrick]

I need to find a place to get some of these, and there dimensions so that I can finish the design of my CNC.

I have searched the forums, and the web and have found nothing so far.

Here is a quick Cad picture I drew up, but like I said, I need exact dimensions.

[CarveOne]

This one is similar to your drawing. There is a dimensioned drawing for the support for each rod size. This page is the 20mm size:

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PRO...ystems/Kit7429

CarveOne

[slickrick]

Great....thanks for the link.

I found the imperial size I need, but for that price, I'll take the dimensions and make my own.

$112 for 24 inches..............ouch!

Thanks again for the link.
Rick

[CarveOne]

Originally Posted by slickrick Great....thanks for the link. I found the imperial size I need, but for that price, I'll take the dimensions and make my own. $112 for 24 inches..............ouch! Thanks again for the link. Rick

Ha! I didn't look at the price. Did that include a linear bearing? I just remembered that they had something like you were looking for. If you have the equipment needed to machine your own supports, go for it. I would, and I have the equipment to do it at home. A local machine shop would probably cost you twice VXB's price to make them for you.

Consider these alternative suggestions:

1. The rod does not have to be fully supported for the full length. You can cut the stock (or extrusion if that is what it is) to 2" or 3" lengths and place them 8" to 12" apart and get good results as long as the supports are mounted to a really flat surface. The spacing will depend on rod diameter of course.

2. If you use one piece of 1/4" or 3/8" bar stock horizontally and a piece of 1/2" 0r 5/8" bar stock vertically (like an inverted "T") you can use flat head machine screws to connect them together from the bottom. Then mill the correct radius for the rod on the top of the vertical bar stock. This will cost less than machining a large square or rectangle aluminum bar stock.

In either suggestion you will need to drill clearance holes for mounting to the base and for mounting the rod.

CarveOne

[jcc3inc]

Sir,

You can consider Lee Controls Inc www.linearmotion.com
Also Thomson Industries, Port Washington, NY

Regards,
Jack C.

[slickrick]

CarveOne....no that was just the support (maybe the rod as well).

My plan was to just make some small blocks with an inside radius to support the rod, that would be placed every few inches. I don't have anything to machine these other than a band saw and a drill press, so whatever I can make easily with those will do until I get my CNC complete. Thanks for the ideas.

Jack....I checked out that link. They have some Cad links I'm going to check out. They don't have any prices posted so I cannot compare those yet.

Thanks.
Rick

[CarveOne]

You need to befriend a local home shop hobby machinist or two. They come in handy when you need a part machined for free. Just tell them that you don't think they can make this part, but have a look at it for you.

My friends do that to me all the time. They always seem to get what they want.

It is better to radius a long enough piece and then cut it to length. The radius can be centered on the material more accurately for all of the pieces that way. It doesn't even have to be a radius. Use a 45 degree groove instead. It will actually prevent sideways wobble from a slightly oversize radius. I have used a 45 degree carbide router bit to do it in my milling machine and it works very well if a little spray of WD-40 is used to wet the surface.

CarveOne

[slickrick]

I wish I had a friend or someone local who was even interested in this. I tell friends about a CNC router and they ask if it is some kind of new IP router or something. My cousin who lives a ways away from me is the only one who knows what it is.

I'm on my own around here...hehe. I'll do OK though.

I'm sure that once I get this thing done they will come out of the woodwork (or is that metalwork...hehe).
Rick

[CarveOne]

If you true up your band saw blade to be square to the table and install a 4 to 6 tooth 1/2" or wider blade you can easily cut the V notch. Clamp or screw the aluminum pieces to a larger block of aluminum or wood or the piece may snag and lock up. Feed it against the blade slowly. The coarse pitch blade will pull out the aluminum chips and the metal won't heat up so badly like a finer pitch blade will. I cut 6061-T6 aluminum on my 14" Jet wood cutting band saw like it is wood. Clean the aluminum chips off of the tires on the blade wheels before they get embedded in the rubber or polyurethane tires. I turn the wheels by hand and use a hobby knife blade as a scraper to lightly knock the debris off of the tires.

I've invited six of my friends and my boss to come take a look at my cnc machine now that it is running and see my new workshop. One has been here a few times, but it's always a trip to borrow my trailer or to get free work done. No interest at all from the others so far. It's either that they're jealous or that they thought I invited them over for an injection of live chicken pox virus. I need to find a better educated class of local friends I suppose. I hope your friends are aren't like mine.

CarveOne

[slickrick]

Most of the friends I am around just don't seem to get interested in new things like this. I just don't understand it. I understand something like this is a pretty big undertaking, but only two people I know have even shown any idea as to what can be done with these machines.

I'm used to it though. There are so many interesting things in this world that are becoming easier and easier for people with limited funds and sourcability (is that a word?) to get interested and involved in. CNC machines, Lasers, home made scanners, and that is just a few things on this forum. There is so much out there. Everytime I present something to my friends, I usually get the obligatory "that looks cool" with the blank stare with the lets just end this conversation look.

I guess the people I know are satisfied knowing what they know, and are not interested in broadening their minds.

I may not be the most inovative person, but I try to push myself and my mind, and try to find others likeminded. I'm glad I found this place. I just hope my kids have the same thirst for learning that I have.

As far as my cnc goes, I am just about done designing mine, and plan to throw it up on here for design scrutiny from you guys. I do need some advice on my motors, and the sizes I might need.

Rick

[CarveOne]

I understand your dilemma completely. My own family has no clue about what drives me to be so different in my interests, capabilities, and self education than them. To them I'm the family geek. I suppose that it's a bit intimidating to them that I can have so many different interests, can build nearly anything myself, and understand how stuff works before they even know it exists. Basically, my family watches the evening garbage on the television and I'm learning more new things on the internet. There are lots of us on CNC Zone.

CarveOne