Jig wheels

[Bertotti]

Making a slab leveling jig anyone ever used rollerblade wheels? I ordered some 90a hardness wheels to use. I think it might work out well. I have seen other jigs using roller blade or skateboard wheels. Have you?

 

[tsmi243]

I've seen it done.  Somebody on here even spun them up on a lathe, and turned shoulders into the OD so it would sit in the groove in some 8020. 

 

[Bertotti]

I haven't seen that! Very cool. I wonder how well they worked out.

 

[tsmi243]

Finally found it, check it out-https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/router-sled-with-80-20/

 

[rst]

I used 8' pieces of 8020 1530 extrusion and their sliding door UHMW attached to aluminum angle to make my sled.  Not able to post pics at present but I believe I did years ago, search router sled for wide boards by rst

 

[Cheese]

I'll echo what rst said, especially if you don't have the machining capabilities to turn down the wheels. The UHMW items are relatively cheap and readily available.

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[rst]

I actually used 8020 part #6808 15 Series Standard Sliding Door Glide Profile attached to 2" x 2" heavy aluminum angle.  My piece wasn't too wide so I used the MFS guide  clamped to the angle and my 1400.  I haven't needed to yet but plan to use angle to span whatever width I need in the future and use my 2200 with a 2" CNC flattening bit.

 

[Packard]

I would be concerned that the saw dust and shavings would embed in the wheels affecting accuracy.  They do sell the bearings separately and against a wood surface I think the steel would work fine. 

Amazon sells 20 bearings for $15.00.  So it would be difficult to go wrong.
https://www.amazon.com/Rollerex-608...ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=rollerblade+bearings&qid=1624390802&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzT1gwSDFVTk9FNDZEJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODAxMDUyMTZMRkFVSUlINlpDTiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTIzMjQyMTFaSlNVVjc2VEcwOSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[bobtskutter]

Whenever I've seen a router sled they remind me of a CNC machine, but without the computer controls.
Have you considered something like:https://openbuildspartstore.com/wheels/
or maybe...https://www.cnc4you.co.uk/Linear-Rail/Round-Rail-Kithttps://www.cnc4you.co.uk/Linear-Rail/Supported-Round-Rail-Kits

I have no affiliation to those companies, I was thinking of building a CNC machine before I started buying Festools  [laughing]

Regards
bob

 

[rvieceli]

UHMW will work perfectly fine. I think that wheels on the sled makes it overly complicated and fussy.

To be honest, I believe my last iteration on a smaller sled is running steel to steel and it works fine. I'm using 2 inch angle iron for the base rails clamped to the table and the angle iron for the sled tied together at the ends with a couple of pieces of oak. Leg of the angle turned inward at the bottom of the sled to make a path for the router. Slides fine. I will occasionally paste wax the flat part of the sled.

Ron                                                 

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I have. Several years ago, I built a bar for a pizza restaurant called Mellow Mushroom. It is one of several locations and they all are decorated in a theme, based on the local area. This particular one is near a golf course, so somewhat golf themed inside. The bar is walnut ply on the outside with the grain running vertically. About every 48" there are giant golf Tees applied to the face. They are solid poplar, that I turned at home. We do not have a lathe at the shop, so it became a sub-contracted project, side-job. I turned the heads separately from the shanks to save time and material. I glued them together to blend the shape, between centers. To cut a point, I needed a steady-rest that I didn't have. So, 3/4" ply and rollerskate wheels to the rescue.

 

[Cheese]

Very clever adaptation for a steady rest. Simple but effective.  [big grin]

That could also work quite well for a small metal lathe.

 

[Michael Kellough]

UHMW will work perfectly fine. I think that wheels on the sled makes it overly complicated and fussy.

To be honest, I believe my last iteration on a smaller sled is running steel to steel and it works fine. I'm using 2 inch angle iron for the base rails clamped to the table and the angle iron for the sled tied together at the ends with a couple of pieces of oak. Leg of the angle turned inward at the bottom of the sled to make a path for the router. Slides fine. I will occasionally paste wax the flat part of the sled.

Ron                                               

Wheels can be a problem when you’re making sawdust. Slides plow the dust away without trying to roll/climb over it, as long as the leading edge is not beveled the underside.

I expect waxed steel does work very well for this application.

For a lightweight load a light coat of silicon between two pieces of acrylic slides like it’s an air cushioned rig

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Very clever adaptation for a steady rest. Simple but effective.  [big grin]

That could also work quite well for a small metal lathe.

It worked very well, for such a small lathe. That is just the baby Jet (10"?) with the bed extension.
The heads were either 7" or 7.5" I don't remember and somewhere around 32"-34" long. I had an extra head, that sat upside down on my back bench for years, 'til the fire ate it. Just one more thing that can never be replaced.
I don't know why I can't find the pics of them installed. They got painted gold to contrast with the dark stained walnut.

 

[Ron B]

Hey Crazyraceguy-nice little jig for the golf tee but thought you might want to see the world's largest golf Tee.  I cannot get the picture to attach, but google Casey Illinois golf Tee.  There is a local company there that does pipe line work, and the owner likes to build "World's largest" everything.  This little town has the world's largest rocking chair, pitch fork, knitting needles,etc.  I found the site "Big things small town" and it lists the following:

Casey Illinois
Official Home to 12 World's Largest Attractions!
World's Largest Windchime
World's Largest Golf Tee
World's Largest Rocking Chair
World's Largest Wooden Shoes
World's Largest Pitchfork 
World's Largest Mailbox
World's Largest Key
World's Largest Gavel
World's Largest Twizzle Spoon
World's Largest Golf Driver
World's Largest Barber Shop Pole
World's Largest Teeter Totter

I have been through that area, and got a kick out of someone doing all of this.  It would be fun just dreaming up this stuff and pitching the idea to your boss. 

 

[Bertotti]

Well, I already have wheels so I may just try to use them since I have them. Very cool ideas though so I will give them all some thought!

 

[Packard]

Or get a set of linear bearings. 

Amazon has 40" (1,000 mm) linear bearings for less than $110.00 (USD).  Shorter lengths are less expensive.
https://www.amazon.com/Bearings-SBR...SD8/ref=sr_1_12_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=linear+bearings+36%22&qid=1624625650&sr=8-12-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFLOTlZRTc0VVUxSUwmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0NzY5MzYyT1NUWDMwOU9RSVhJJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0NjI5MjMzQklBQ0xVMDZENFNCJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[rvieceli]

Any body using similar linear bearings? I wonder if they would flex if they are unsupported.

In the applications I have seen them they are usually well supported from beneath.

Ron

 

[Packard]

You could mount the rails on angle iron.  The specs on that unit does not show the load it can carry.

You can certainly obtain linear bearings that can handle that load, but commercial linear bearings can get very, very expensive.  These rails seem to be aluminum extrusions. 

High load versions have 3/4" ground steel rods with bearings that wrap the rods.

McMaster-Carr lists components for linear bearings.  They show some that work on t-slot framing. 
https://www.mcmaster.com/linear-bearings/sleeve-bearing-carriages-for-t-slotted-framing-6/

The applications listed on the Amazon ad say that it is suited for routers.  So maybe, probably?

    Gross Weight: 17.6 lb (8 kg)
  Ideal for your DIY routers, mills, lathes, etc.

Specifications

    Feature: Smooth motion
    Performance: Low noise
    Guarantee: 24 months
    Condition: 100% brand new
    Bearing Blocks: 4 pieces, SBR20UU
    Rail Shafts: SBR20, 1000 mm (39.5")
    Gross Weight:17.6 lb (8 kg)
    Package Dimensions: 41.33"* 3.5"* 3.14" (105* 9* 8 cm)

Package Content

 

[squall_line]

I thought I just watched a YouTube video recently about a slab mill made with linear bearings.  I don't remember if it was posted on the FOG or if I found it when I was researching Woodpecker's Slab Mill.

Found it!