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Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1116
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 09:01 pm: | 
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This first post is older one, made in March '07 - up-to-date post at bottom
Talking of rollers first, there is a good (USA)source of a set of rollers listed on this Forum. Beats the BishopWiseCarver (BWC) prices by far and the quality is apparently 100%. The YiTong (China) option may suit people nearer to them, but their shipping charges kills export to other continents. Some folk (like me) make our own rollers from the plans here.
Making the rails is the most daunting task facing the builders of the MechMate. Lots of guys give up on building a MechMate when they discover that the required rails cannot be purchased over the internet from the comfort of an armchair......
The main rails are defined in drawing number: M1 10 110 M which basically shows 6mm [1/4"] angle iron, with one leg shortened down and then "sharpened" with 45 degree bevels.
a. I have had 2 sets made on a bandsaw and milling machine with only a 900mm [36"] bed. link
b. Fabrica did an experiment with a drill and shaper to prove to himself that milling is viable. link. After that he had the rails milled with confidence.
c. DocTanner made his rails with sweat...and grinders. Took him a day and no shipping charges. link Some "home" grinding ideas illustrated here and here. Some other ideas here as well. This is the way to do it on a low budget, far away from "proper" facilities. It will give you a machine that is fine for 95% of paying jobs.
d. CharlieT had some precision rails made by a knife grinding company. Cost him about $130 per rail which is still cheaper than buying any of the so-called "linear bearing" rail. link.
In short, passable rails can be made with a day's worth of sweat. Fully ground rails are also possible at costs lower than mounted linear bearings. It is one of the non-armchair steps in building a MechMate, and there are a lot more of those steps.....
We are looking for a US-based white knight who can organise "group buys" of ground rails like Charlie's above........
(Bear in mind that such rails will have applications way beyond that of a MechMate) |
Gerald_D
Registered
Username: Gerald_d
Post Number: 1263
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 05:37 pm: |
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V-Rollers:
Superior Bearings of Ohio have by far the best deal on V-roller bearings and they ship worldwide. Many reports have come in about how good their service is. Here is their special offer for a "MechMate kit" - 12 rollers (size 3) and eccentric bushings as a complete set for only $185.52, excluding shipping, from Ohio. (Note that the size 3 is substantially heavier and more robust than the size 2 used by ShopBot and stocked by IMS). The Superior Bearing product is made in the USA.
V-Rails:
Until recently, the BishopWisecarver rail was thought to be the best, but very expensive. I avoided it purely on price, particularly the price wanted by the BWC agent in this country.
In addition to rail options mentioned in the post above, two more viable options have emerged:
1. Make rails with a small angle grinder and some home-made jigs. see this thread
2. Use V-cap rails identical to BishopWisecarver, but for a much better price (70% less !!??) from Superior Bearing. see this thread. I am still testing the feeling on what the guys want to use as the base rail for the V-cap track, before I design some optional laser cut parts to accommodate the taller assembly. |
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Rails & Rollers