Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] material for slide bushings

From: "halaloszto" <halaloszto@...>

>
> i am planning to build a small mill. cannot afford too much for the
> project, so commercial linear guides are out of reach.

I assume you are talking about the ones with bearings. Those are great
for stuff where the table never gets hit or gets a sudden load thrown on it.
When the table gets jarred the bearings tend to leave little dents and that
messes with your finishes. As far as the bushing type, I would still just as
soon make my own.

> the question is: what would You use for the bushings on a 1/2in steel
> rod/maybe aluminum.

Between steel and aluminum I would pick a steel, probably A-2 and S-7 (A-2
for one part and S-7 for the part that rides against it). What would be my
first choice is an Oil Lite Bronze or a Nickel Aluminum Bronze, going with
the Ni/Al bronze if the loads were going to be really heavy. The Oil Lite
(probable spelled wrong ;) Bronzes hold oil and will almost never stick to a
steel.