I built a MDF CNC router based on the original plans from buildyourcnc.com a few years back - I moved house a couple of years ago & the machine has been sat in the garage unloved, in bits, slowly warping & becoming unusable.
I'm now redesigning the machine from scratch. I'm basing the design on the FLA-100 (Fine Line Automation - Complete 2'x3' Router Kit) but tweaking it to use metric ally profile & making have a 2x4 cutting area etc.
I like the linear bearings that are on the plan & that are sold by cncrouterparts but they are sized for imperial profile. I have also inherited 4 of the original version of these (not adjustable) - using these would mean that I have to use aluminium (imperial) flat bar for the rails rather than steel (metric)...I think these would wear out pretty quickly - not ideal.
So the point of this post is to ask about the current preferred trend of DIY linear bearings - i've been looking around & haven't been able to find anything that looks right for me. I'm trying to keep costs as low as possible, but want to keep it all as solid as possible.
Other than your normal diy tools I also have at hand:
Table saw
Chop saw (can cut ally/steel)
Drill press
Router table
Angle grinder
Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Tom