08-08-2007, 01:13 AM
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| *Registered User* | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: United States
Posts: 147
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Larry, I have a set of those VXB rails and blocks. I tried them out awhile back when I was looking for an alternative to Hiwins. They fine for a small hobby router, but I wouldn't use them for heavy duty applications. The cost savings just isn't there. You're paying 65% cost for 20% the load capacity. You also can't get them in custom lengths, and there is a shipping fee, unlike automation4less who ships hiwins for free and charges per 100mm of rail. The wasted rail lengths + shipping fees shrinks the price gap down to about 10-20%.
The VXBs pictured are also much more prone to contamination. One thing they have going for them is that the ball cages inside the pillow blocks are dirt cheap. You can replace them for $5.00 a pop. I contacted a supplier in China a year ago and they sold them in quantity for $1.37. So they're basically consumables.
The VXB hardened rail is bulletproof. They're similar in quality to genuine Thomson rail, which I often use for various setup applications around the shop. You can chuck them up on a lathe with hardened steel jaws and not scratch them.
The pillowblocks are okay. They're extruded aluminum so they won't have nearly the same precision as a ground Hiwin/THK. Probably not a big deal for most wood routers. However, what is a big deal is that the the pillow blocks are attached to the bearings with a single set screw. A bit too flimsy IMO.
I think they'd be a good alternative if VXB could offer the rail in custom lengths and offer cheaper shipping without increasing the price. Until then, Hiwins and/or ebay THKs are far superior in terms of both overall performance and bang for the buck.  |
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