Was about to get a toy- then I did some research...

[Desertboy]

Sorry for being a bit unclear, with "full hiwin" I meant as opposed to the "economy" type profiled rails. I've already been convinced to go profiled, although I expect to swear a few times more than had I gone with round rails...

For a first time hobby builder I think clone rail is fine, BST automation on Alixpress are a good place to start.

If I was sinking thousands into a frame, decent spindle, etc I'd buy original and I already have original Hiwin on most my machine just one axis is clone.

I can tell you Hiwin's are definitely smoother than cheap clone rail before I fitted them but in practice on the router working you can't tell the difference. With 1610 ballscrews one step in 0.05mm so that's really what limits your resolution. Never consider microstepping actual resolution it's something very different. On a Mill clone rail probably makes a lot less sense.

If I was working it for cash 10 hours day I would definitely go original Hiwin.

[JAZZCNC]

For a first time hobby builder I think clone rail is fine, BST automation on Alixpress are a good place to start.

No that's wrong way to look at it. When buying from China most of the cost is the shipping, the difference between Hi-win and the clone isn't massive so it's not worth wasting shipping. Don't spoil a machine for just a few $$ more.