Skate bearing carriage idea

[kostix777]

Hello!

This is just a little simple idea I thought of sometime ago and now that I got a bunch of skate bearings, I finally implemented a model of it.
This carriage can be clamped to any flat edge given the size of the parts fits between the bearing "holders". You just put the carriage on the edge of your rail, and then tension the bearings using the long bolt.
Disregard the raw wood design, as this is just a model. The proper assembly could be made with aluminum parts, for example, giving much more rigidity.
I know that many might say about this sort of designs, that is the bearings being in flat contact with the rail, this might lead to poor performance with the presence of debris and dust, but given the table design allows it, the rails could be hidden under the table with additional dust covers implementation.

Best regards,
Konstantin

[dertsap]

I like the idea , it can produce a solid slide setup , what i would change about it is to have bearings on the bottom of the rail as well and add the same type of adjuster to suck the bottom and the top together
dust is inevitable however you go about it but its simple enough to take measures to minimize it

[kostix777]

Ah yes, the idea of bearings clamping from all sides is awesome.. i didnt actually think bout unsupported rails, had in mind only a fully supported railing.
Thanks for the idea addition!

kostix

[kostix777]

.. to add up a bit,
given a flying gantry design, 2 parallel rails, one on each side of the router, possibly below the table, and a carriage on each rail.. the carriages can be clamped together with long 1/2" or thicker bolts and nuts, below the table, pressing the carriages against the rails, controlling the pressure with the nuts on the bolts. Maybe 3, 4 bolts, or even more.. this could also provide the mounting structure for the lead nut.

[peter.blais]

That design is not going to be keen on any bending moment placed on it because those side bearings will be asked to take it up essentially in thrust... If I was using that setup, I would design with that at the front of my mind, keep the table low and the supports that load your "trucks" stiff, no cantilevered loads etc.

Try to add some wipers for the rails.