[2_many_hobbies]

I have a stock of 1" extrusion without any of the v-rail, open rail, etc profiles. Its just standard mcmaster carr stuff and I am wondering what linear motion options are available to me.

Specifically I do not need heavy load capability as this is going to be for a laser cutter, but I do need a simple low parts count / low cost option. I have looked into putting on a 1/8" piece of steel and using v-wheels but the v-wheels are very expensive just by themselves.

Any links to existing projects or designs?

[awerby]

I've seen designs where people used skate-board wheels or the bearings from them mounted at 90 degrees from one another so they could roll on square stock. I wouldn't recommend it for carving machines, or anything where a lot of precision was required, but if you aren't up against cutting forces or trying to hit high tolerances this could work for you. It's certainly cheap enough...

Here's a site with a tutorial: https://buildyourcnc.com/step1.aspx

[2_many_hobbies]

I could see something like that working, eccentric spacers on the bottom and one side to snug it all up.

Any other ideas out there?

[awerby]

Or you could spring-load the wheels against each other with heavy compression springs. Be careful with that laser - most laser cutters are fully enclosed for safety reasons that are entirely valid.

[2_many_hobbies]

Or you could spring-load the wheels against each other with heavy compression springs. Be careful with that laser - most laser cutters are fully enclosed for safety reasons that are entirely valid.

What do you mean "against each other with springs"?

The frame and motion components are 15 series 80/20 and will be clad in plywood to be fully enclosed.