no thrust bearing

Hi,

I am looking at some plans which have the leadscrew hanging free at
one end and directly connected to the stepper motor shaft end at the
other. I had read in previous post about thrust bearing, and vaguely
remembered someone mentioning that the stepper motor bearing cannot
take axial load. However, I was also told that if I am not cutting
metal, I wouldn't be dealing with very high forces.

Will connecting leadscrew directly to stepper motor shaft lead to
much shorter motor life?

Thanks

Andrew