Anyone tried to make a slider out of linear motion bearings like these?
- Thread starter e-steve
- Start date
I have been searching for the last couple of days actually. Perhaps some of the more expensive sliders are using these types of linear bearings, but looking at the components, they don't seem like they should cost that much to make a DIY one? Some linear bearings, rails, and a way to mount the bearings to some sort of carriage (or just get a couple of pillow blocks?)
I haven't seen any DIYs using them... how do these compare to the drylin in terms of smoothness?
I haven't seen any DIYs using them... how do these compare to the drylin in terms of smoothness?
MDKfilms
Well-known member
Hey e-steve,
I built myself a slider using something called ready rail. It is not cheap but it can take literally a ton of weight on each bearing block and rail and it is quiet. I looked at the drylin bearings but chose to go with the ready rail as it could take more weight and IMO are quieter. Here is a pic.
Just to add, I can use this as a hood mount as well.
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View attachment 33733
I built myself a slider using something called ready rail. It is not cheap but it can take literally a ton of weight on each bearing block and rail and it is quiet. I looked at the drylin bearings but chose to go with the ready rail as it could take more weight and IMO are quieter. Here is a pic.
Just to add, I can use this as a hood mount as well.
View attachment 33734
View attachment 33733
Hey I'm really digging the design of that slider..... where did you find the materials for the legs...more interested in the threaded blocks...what are those?
MDKfilms
Well-known member
Hey Advent,
what you see there is some 1 inch square aluminum that I cut and tapped to accommodate the stainless steel adjusters. The two rail sections are 24" readyrail. Do a google search and you will find it. I have my rails lying flat but when used for industrial purposes they should be used on their side so the bearing blocks push right down on the rail.
what you see there is some 1 inch square aluminum that I cut and tapped to accommodate the stainless steel adjusters. The two rail sections are 24" readyrail. Do a google search and you will find it. I have my rails lying flat but when used for industrial purposes they should be used on their side so the bearing blocks push right down on the rail.
Thanks Doug -- I'm trying to build one as inexpensively as possible. I know the IGUS ones are reasonably cheap, but somehow I feel like we're all spending too much money for something that should be even cheaper to build!
Have you guys seen this prototype? http://vimeo.com/22539924
It looks almost too smooth, but the price also seems high to me. I think I may try to get a hex bar from onlinemetals.com and tap some holes in it, and add some roller blade bearings to see if I can replicate it. I'd estimate it to perhaps come to a total like this:
6-8 in hex bar (aluminum?) - $10 from onlinemetals.com
8 skate bearings - $12.19 from Amazon
Misc nuts and bolts - $10
3 foot rails from onlinemetals - $10
That's about $42... then you would need to find a way to mount the rods on a tripod, so I'm not sure where the costs go from there? Anyone have any ideas? Probably the easiest option would be using wood for the rest, but who knows...
Have you guys seen this prototype? http://vimeo.com/22539924
It looks almost too smooth, but the price also seems high to me. I think I may try to get a hex bar from onlinemetals.com and tap some holes in it, and add some roller blade bearings to see if I can replicate it. I'd estimate it to perhaps come to a total like this:
6-8 in hex bar (aluminum?) - $10 from onlinemetals.com
8 skate bearings - $12.19 from Amazon
Misc nuts and bolts - $10
3 foot rails from onlinemetals - $10
That's about $42... then you would need to find a way to mount the rods on a tripod, so I'm not sure where the costs go from there? Anyone have any ideas? Probably the easiest option would be using wood for the rest, but who knows...