Official Luthiers Forum!

Does anyone have experience on putting together an XYZ table with foreign made linear bearings?
I am currently looking at SBR bearings made in China, any advice? US-made bearings are a little too expensive, I want to keep the cost down! This table is not for a CNC machine ,it's for a reconditioned Matchmaker (Worth machine) router setup. My current matchmaking machine has grooved bearings which run on 1/4" inch round rails which is very flimsy and not very accurate. Can somebody please send me a link on a good supplier for closed linear slide bearings with end supports?

What type bearings are you talking about, the round-rail type with plastic slides or round rails with ball bearings or square rails with trucks? Personally, my go-to is Hiwin stuff from AutomationOverstock, it's pretty affordable considering the quality and the domestic shipping.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

I'm looking for 20mm round end supported shafts, ball bearing with closed pillow blocks with 8" of stroke.

http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/bearing-block-rail

They have a good reputation and sell quality product.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Please show some pics when you get it dialed in. I have a matchmaker as well with pretty tired bearings, not that they were ever great. I have used the heck out of that machine and it has served me well. I have used it for a few things in guitar making. What processes were you planning on doing with it?
Rob

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http://www.kalimbakit.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/comfyfootgr ... ature=mhee
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It may be some time before I upgrade. I will be using the Match maker for Bridges, Bridge slots, head slots, ect!

I have used it to slot bridges, but I am skeptical of using it for slotted headstock, I am sure it will work fine, but I think it will be more trouble setting up then it will be worth. I am planning on insetting a block into the neck heel for inserts, but past that, I am still trying to justify the space it takes up at this point.

_________________
http://shastaguitar.com/
http://www.kalimbakit.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/comfyfootgr ... ature=mhee
http://www.facebook.com/robert.renick.7

I make lots of doors, windows, furniture, ect., so walking up to a machine that's already set to do any size tenon or mortise is worth every penny I've invested into it! I bought it about 18 yrs ago and it's time to change those silly bearings or go to another type of XY table.

Same with me, mine is about that old, and was worn out when I was doing doors and windows in SF. I ran it with a 1/2" serrated spiral morticing for loose tennons. Great machine for that, I had a moving outfeed table for the stiles. I don't do doors and windows any more and would love to make it useful to me again, great tool worth the money as a horizontal morticer, I have worn out 3 hitachi M12v's on that machine.
Nice to meet another person with one of these, let's see what we can come up with for it in lutherie.

_________________
http://shastaguitar.com/
http://www.kalimbakit.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/comfyfootgr ... ature=mhee
http://www.facebook.com/robert.renick.7

I made a larger sized 3 axis setup to use as a duplicator and overhead router. Used 16, 20, & 25mm Chinese linear bearings purchased off of ebay. Still putting finishing touches on the setup but the bearings have worked well so far. The seller cut the rails to the ordered lengths and the cut ends were rough, but they cleaned up with a grinder.