:) finally got started on the Z today

I'm still making it up as I go along, depending on what I can find to make it out of !

Today, it was 1/2" birch ply.

the bearing trucks and rail are quite wide, and as I dont want to build out any more than I need, towards the front, the Z plate ended up quite a bit narrower than I imagined. It's still 4", so should be ok.

In fact, it ended up just like an idea I had the other day of making your own Hiwin type rails and bearings.

I have it mostly assembled and glued under preload from a clamp. It moves really nicely.

Tomorrow, when the glue is set, I'll be adding more glue block support to the outside edges, behind the bearings. the pipe is not attached yet, so I can shim under it if needed.

Also, not shown in the photos, I block planed the rail housing edges so the pipe fits in it's slot snugly and seats on the bottom.













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