Mechanical Slide

cults3d

Wanted to make a mechanical slide that wouldn't break the bank! I'm thrilled to share this simple design, mainly made from 3D printed parts. It may not match the quality of an OEM slide, but it works flawlessly nonetheless. Besides some screws and nuts, you'll only need two main OEM items: one, a cheap 1/8" brass U-channel that's easy to find at any hobby store or online; and two, 1/8" diameter steel balls, which I sourced online but should be readily available. Other than that, assembly was a breeze. Follow the posted pictures with detailed notes to put it together on its side. Things to note: 1. When building the parts, pay attention to the build direction – I needed no supports and printing took about an hour and a half on standard settings. 2. The brass channel isn't perfect; one side of the U-shape is slightly higher than the other, so keep this bias in mind when placing the bearings. If you machined your own U-channel, performance would improve. 3. After assembly, there's still some play (.005-.010), but with a modest load (couple of pounds or less), this slide will give consistent use and good life. 4. I've included bearing cage files for 2, 3, 4, and 5 balls so you can experiment with different configurations. Note: Some parts (blue) are not shown in the correct orientation – the Slide Base and Slide Body are upside down, and the Slide Base Rail is on its end; it should be on the long side with the long pocket facing up.