Linear Shafts...

[WilliamD]

I'm doing a lot of comparisons for rod I want to use with VXB linear bearings. I thought drill rod would work, seeing how its hardened and shaped to pretty close tolerances. But there is also stainless rod that is much more expensive, and is rated as just as hard (Rockwell test). Does anyone use drill rod? Do you find that it wears quickly? Just wondering what the general concensus is out there.

[fyffe555]

been discussed before, do a search. Briefly drill rod is NOT hardened as supplied and ball linear bearings will cut it up is short order. Drill rod is intended for hardening after shaping. It's not feasible to harden a long length of drill rod at home and retain its straightness or roundness. Some drillrod , even when hardened is still less hard than the specifically produced linear rods. Linear rod like thompson's isn't that much more expensive than drill rod either.