What are your thoughts on linear rails?

Jonzynator

I recently decided to try out some Hiwin linear rails on my Ender 3. After installing the rail I noticed that I would get some strange artifacts in my prints. I would also just have random issues that would usually be fixed with cleaning the rails and re lubricating them . They have been talked up so much from other users and I do like the precision that they offer but All I know is I'm not sure if they really live up to the hype. I'm not fully sold on them just yet.

So with that I wanted to ask the community what is your favorite motion platform. I think Ill stick with V wheels on my Enders and other V wheel printers. I dont think its a worth while "Upgrade" for the machines.

DocB_rown

I like my linear rails - but admit they don't live up to the hype. You have to get them installed just right but when they are done right, they work great. Just not worth the expense unless you like to tinker like me.

Jonzynator

DocB_rown

I figure when I build a voron ill use my hiwin rails on it. But from what I can tell they add nothing to my ender. But with that said I am a tinker and ill defiantly have my ender torn apart again trying something new on it.

HouseOfBugs

That was my thought before I purchased the rails. I figured I wouldn't see much a of a difference in the quality of my prints. I was looking to avoid having to adjust the eccentrics but from my experience its more work to have the rails. I went months without adjusting my eccentrics and never had an issue. But with rails I would go about 2 weeks and Id have to clean and lube them. After 6 months of using the rails I finally said I'm over it and put my V wheels back on.

HouseOfBugs

IMO - In general, if the printer was not designed for linear rails then stick with the Vslot wheels.

I can't find the link but teaching tech did a video comparing linear rails on an ender 3 to vslot and it ended up being not much difference.

The only advantage, IMO, to rails is not having to adjust the eccentrics but you still have to keep the bearing blocks lubed up.

DocB_rown

Jonzynator

If you go that route, I wouldn't bother with genuine Hiwin (aside from they are crazy expensive). There are enough clones out there that are good enough for printing - and plenty that are trash too.

HouseOfBugs

DocB_rown

Buying chinese rails is a crap-shoot. You have to check them all over and make sure you get ones that are in good tolerance.

Jonzynator

HouseOfBugs

one of the reasons why I tend to save up and just get the quality ones. I find ill end up going though more money trying to fix up the cheap rails. I've changed ball bearings in them with higher quality US made ones and made cheap rails work amazing. But within a couple months they just wear down so much from the harder bearings they are not worth fixing.

TopHATTwaffle

I'm a linear rail slut. I will admit that the print quality has not really improved, maybe a small amount but nothing crazy. The maintenance has been WAY nicer for me. Once I get them installed and lubed up they just work. I've left them untouched for about 1.5years since installing - still going strong. I initially installed them as my Ender 3 machines used the stagger bed wheel design that sucked.

If I were to go back in time my advice would be: If you like to tinker and have more than 1 machine go for it. Just don't expect a jump in quality of printers, just quality of life.

DustyMerkin

I refuse to waste time on v slot wheels. Linear rails or exoslides for me.

Jonzynator

DustyMerkin I purchased some exoslides awhile back and have been wanting to give them a shot. I originally wanted to build a machine around them but as many of my hobbies they get pushed to the back burner.