Re: Extrusions for router rails (store front)

Hi,
You might want to try Store Front Aluminum channel carried
by you local glass company. You can form all kinds of shapes
using the associated hardware. John Kleinbauer uses it to
build his milling machines. see link

www.kleinbauer.com/

Bob

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., vrsculptor@h... wrote:
> Some help please. I was considering building a large 4X8 foot 3
axis
> router for architectural type stuff (doors, windows, furniture..)
in
> wood. Absolute accuracy is not important. .010/.030 is fine
although
> repeatability must be high. In other words it doesn't matter much
how
> big it is as long as the cuts line up. With this in mind I have the
> following questions:
>
> 1. Are heavy square/rectangular aluminum extrusions straight and
> accurate enough to use as rails without additional machining?
> 2. Have any of you seen/tried filling a tubular way with an epoxy
> motor or some such to increase rigidity? Did it work?
> 3. Assuming aluminum rails which do you think would be better:
> plastic (turcite/teflon) lined sliding ways or rollers?
> 4. Gates is selling heavy cog belting by the foot as an alternative
> to rack and pinion gearing. Any opinions on this? Have any of you
> seen this in use? If it works it's got to be the lowest cost
> alternative.
>
> Thanks.