Re: X Rail Material
Ref772 & Andrew,
O1 Tool Steel is relatively soft in its native as shipped state before a hardening process is performed, a 10 Rockwell is slightly tougher than a wet noodle or a soft grape.
Jeff...
Originally Posted by
ref772
I've been trying to figure out why my cut depth when engraving varies about 006" from one side of my table to the other. I have machined my spoil board a couple of times, but that didn't help. I found that the X rail on the right side is worn where the top bearings run. Other rails are OK. So I blame this on overtightening the bearings. The rails were ground O-1 tool steel tight precision flat stock from McMaster-Carr. They were used in as bought state and not hardened after maching. The bearings are the normal skate bearings. Does anyone know of a better material to make the rails out of or should I have hardened the rails? If I go back with the same material, I'll pay more attention to the bearing adjustment and try not to get them so tight.
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