So now onto linear slides, was looking at getting some 16mm round supported linear ball bearing slides. How would these compare to ball bearing rollers on square tubing for accuracy and the ability to stay clean from wood dust?
I think within each category there are various tolerances, and performance. THK alone offers 4 different linear rail lines. I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume they’re all different. Although to do look awfully alike. OK the caged rollers look different. They have 3 different models in that one line alone. Based on the sheer number of models in a line alone this must be their hot product.
https://tech.thk.com/en/products/thkdlinks.php?id=314
I mean one is named Global Standard. Against which all others are judged?
K thanks Paul, you have been very helpful. I notice the community doesn’t seem as alive as it used to, have people moved on from G plus?
@Will_Dent I don’t know, But now that you mention it, it does seem awfully quiet here lately. I would say that overall the rails are more rigid than supported rods are. But if you’re only going to be doing wood you likely don’t need that kind of performance. Heck I use drawer slides and they work. But I compromised and built a fixed gantry machine. Because I know my linear guides are weak. The downside of a fixed gantry design is a smaller work envelope. It is very rigid though. If you’re building a moving gantry machine then you need decent linear guides.
Ok I will take that all into consideration. Thanks for the advice.