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I am about to start a design for a router parallelogram for doing inlay and a few other tasks around the shop. I want it to maintain a tight tolerance. So I am going to use a precision ball bearing linear slide rail system. I am just starting the design. I need to keep this as economical possible. I know that other have made such a system. So I am looking for vendors. Anyone have any?

I have access to vendors thru my company that make machine shop grade, but I don’t need high load system and don't want to spend $150 a rail.

These are often available on ebay, but not always in a the time frame you may want. The Surplus Center has them from time to time also.

Michael McClaincrazymanmichael38422.7119675926

Have you thought about heavy-duty drawer slides? They're made with ball bearings and are much cheaper, depending on the length. I believe Lee Valley has them in a large variety. However, if you only need say 20" of travel, Home Depot has some. They may even have 24" slides.

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DES - Shepherd, MI

The seller on eBay that usually sells the thomson linear bearings w. ground rods is "dockguys". YOu can usually pick up a pair of linear bearing and polished hardened rod (2-3 ft.) for between 50.00 & 80.00 depending on how is bidding it up.

I agree that for most purposes the tolerances for ball bearing drawer slides are sufficient. Accuride is the most common brand. Rockler and Woodcraft have them in their catalogs and soem home centers as well. We are talking about about 24+ ball bearings per each slide for full extension slides.

If what you are building is a pantograph style duplicator, then go for the linear bearings.