[newguy]

Maybe im over looking something but i was just wondering what is the big advantage to linear bearings like the ones made by thk versus the pillow block style from thompson? I can see them being more accurate but accurate enough to really compensate for the price difference?

[buscht]

1. You can use a smaller THK slide to get the similar strength as a round way bearing. Check the spec's.
This helps in certain instances where space is a problem.

If you use a supported Thomson bearing, it will work just fine.

For DIY use, its whatever you can find and afford.

[Cold Fusion]

THK Rails have roughly 10x the load rating of a similar diameter round rail. They also last sooooo much longer compared to round.

[newguy]

Seems to me in most cases the thomson wins as far as my applications are concerned. The wear factor isnt a real big concern to me as replacement can be made pretty easy and done fairly cheap compared to thk. The strength factor might be nice but when weighing the cost to strenght i guess cost wins again in my application.

[ger21]

If your using supported Thomson shafts, it's no problem. Unsupported can be difficult to keep from flexing.

[Cold Fusion]

For anything but an industrial application or heavy milling, Thomson round rail will work fine.