Linear Bearings for CNC Router

[CNCMP]

I am sure this is one of the perennial beginners questions you experts get sick of, but what is the most appropriate linear bearing for a low cost CNC router? Reading the forums the options seem to be:

1/ Plastic bush.
2/ Four 90 degree opposed ball races on some sort of home made mounting assembly.
3/ Simplicity bearings or similar.
4/ Recirculating ball slides on hardened shaft.

1 and 4 can be discarded due to too much friction and two much cost respectively.

If well designed and built 2 should be OK, but a lot of work.

3 seems OK but given that a 3 axis machine will require 12 slides at about $30 a pop its still somewhat expensive.

Is this about right? Have I missed some option?

Murray

[ger21]

Either rollerblade bearings on some type of home made guide, or tubing, is what most people go with when cost is the biggest concern. Otherwise, Ebay for good quality stuff. But that might not be an option for you due to your location.

[buscht]

Don't forget about ball bearing drawer slides. Properly mounted, these can give great results

[jcc3inc]

Dear Sir:

If you would Email me, jccinc@owc.net, I will be happy to send you photos of my approach to bearings for a router. I made my machine as a test bed for a controller I am working on, but the ideas apply to a larger machine.

Regards,
Jack C.

[Ferenczyg]

jcc3inc, why not post the photos here? this way all of us will get the idea

/F

[sol]

Yup, you are right; it is a perennial question
Here is a page I put together a while back that addresses a few low cost options.
http://solsylva.com/cnc/cnc5.html

Good Luck!

[buscht]

sol, very informative. Thanks for the link.
T

[MrBean]

Originally Posted by sol Yup, you are right; it is a perennial question Here is a page I put together a while back that addresses a few low cost options. http://solsylva.com/cnc/cnc5.html Good Luck!

I love your website. The second machine is a great piece of work, but the first one you made was fantastic. I love that dust collector cup and coat hanger limit switches.

It just goes to show that a good imagination and the ability to make stuff from what we'd usually throw away, are more important than a large budget. Hats off to you. Nice work, and thanks for sharing.

Regards Terry.....
http://www.terry-is.f2s.com/