Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings Where is the best place for me to get some quality lm8uu linear bearings. The cheap eBay Chinese ones I have used have already started to fail :X Thanks Nikki https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,508466#msg-508466 Fri, 09 Oct 2026 04:43:25 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,843252#msg-843252 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,843252#msg-843252
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JamesK
Has anyone tried the graphite lubed bronze bushings?

i am using this kind of bushings in the z axis rods . i am very happy with them . i have a pair of them on every rod . one shelf-lubricated ( i think it has grahite) and the other one a normal bushing ( needs lube but i dont do it ).]]> Gaou Reprappers Wed, 02 Jan 2019 17:54:18 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,836521#msg-836521 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,836521#msg-836521 MechaBits Reprappers Fri, 19 Oct 2018 15:49:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,836519#msg-836519 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,836519#msg-836519
use 8mm plated hardened rods and Igus Polymer bearings. I bought mine on Aliexpress and they are great. No noise, no failing bearing balls. The price is low, on Aliexpress you pay something like $3 to $8 for a hardened chrome plated steel rod and about $2 to $3 for a Solid Polymer LM8UU Bearing.
You can use the Polymer bearing as you would use ball bearings. The dimensions are the same. Only: no oil or grease!
I use them in my 3D printer already a few years without any problems and with minimum play.
If you don't like to buy in China, Try SKF for the steel rods and Igus for the bearings. Then you've got top-quality (for a top price of course).

You can also print bearings on your printer and see how the method suits you. Thingivers has some files that can help you. After you've seen they work, you can buy real ones if you like.

Good luck!]]> dutchengineer Reprappers Fri, 19 Oct 2018 15:05:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,832355#msg-832355 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,832355#msg-832355 No hardened steel (no steel at all) so they will wear out eventually. Solution:? Buy a bunch and replace as needed!
These MUST BE PERFECTLY ALIGNED or they don't work. Alignment was a pain, but oh so quiet when all was done.

DLC]]> dlc60 Reprappers Wed, 29 Aug 2018 17:25:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,829374#msg-829374 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,829374#msg-829374 https://voltatek.ca/linear-bearing/34-lm8uu-8mm-linear-ball-bearing-for-cnc-router-3d-printer.html]]> voltatek Reprappers Mon, 23 Jul 2018 14:30:54 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,525742#msg-525742 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,525742#msg-525742
You may have to swap out the shafts as well though, linear bearings are very sensitive to shaft diameter and I'm not sure what the tolerances are like on imports.]]> 691175002 Reprappers Wed, 24 Jun 2015 18:47:19 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,525690#msg-525690 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,525690#msg-525690 isolt Reprappers Wed, 24 Jun 2015 16:29:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,519348#msg-519348 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,519348#msg-519348 madmike8 Reprappers Tue, 09 Jun 2015 10:07:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,519206#msg-519206 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,519206#msg-519206 epicepee Reprappers Tue, 09 Jun 2015 00:43:41 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,515878#msg-515878 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,515878#msg-515878 www.aliexpress.com] )]]> JamesK Reprappers Sun, 31 May 2015 11:23:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,515419#msg-515419 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,515419#msg-515419
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milkypostman
is there a link to this design to print ourselves? I like the spacing on these. Have you tried with PLA?

If you have a Prusa style cartesian printer, use these for the X and Z axis:

[www.thingiverse.com]

Use these for the Y axis

[www.thingiverse.com]

Use PLA, PET, or HIPS. Don't use ABS. You can use abs but they will wear quickly.

NYLON would be ideal...]]> thetazzbot Reprappers Sat, 30 May 2015 00:41:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,515406#msg-515406 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,515406#msg-515406 Tinpau Reprappers Fri, 29 May 2015 22:41:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,514984#msg-514984 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,514984#msg-514984 I printed rescaled samples in 99, 100, 101% size to see which would work best.
Unfortunately, I have a halfshell bushing that doesn´t support the bearing completely.

Now I´m back to the metall ones. Just bought another dozend and selected "good" from bad.
-Olaf]]> o_lampe Reprappers Fri, 29 May 2015 02:41:52 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,514969#msg-514969 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,514969#msg-514969 elwood127 Reprappers Fri, 29 May 2015 01:59:36 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,514952#msg-514952 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,514952#msg-514952 milkypostman Reprappers Fri, 29 May 2015 00:20:14 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,514948#msg-514948 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,514948#msg-514948
printed lm8uu

Thats my listing btw. Not advertising but just making a suggestion. Anyone here with a working printer can print these, but for folks sourcing bearings for new build, its a cost effective solution. And they work wonders... Btw they take about 3 hours a dozen to print, im using HIPS ar .2mm layer height]]> thetazzbot Reprappers Thu, 28 May 2015 23:58:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,514556#msg-514556 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,514556#msg-514556
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milkypostman
they get expensive when you're not buying the cheap ones.

Didn't Yogi Berra say something like that? ;)

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milkypostman
I am wondering if I were to take them off, try to actually remove the balls, if they would run better.

The balls are what make the bearing, as in "ball bearing." They provide the minimum surface contact -- the tangent of a sphere -- rolling rather than sliding across a surface, to drastically reduce friction. That's what lets the carriage move smoothly along the rods. Removing the balls from a cheaply made or defective bearing would be like removing your tire because it's flat, and driving on the rim.]]> CraigMoberg Reprappers Thu, 28 May 2015 04:38:25 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,510640#msg-510640 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,510640#msg-510640 milkypostman Reprappers Mon, 18 May 2015 17:06:01 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,510632#msg-510632 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,510632#msg-510632 I got some of those Igus ones and the matching extruded rods.
Although they say "Dimensions correspond to the standard for recirculating ball bearings " they aren't talking about LM8UU unfortunately.
So mine are still sitting on the shelf.]]> isolt Reprappers Mon, 18 May 2015 16:42:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,510554#msg-510554 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,510554#msg-510554
When I was assembling mine the manual mentioned that linear bearings need to be aligned before they are fixed in place. I didn't know what that referred to at the time but now I've realised it means that you want to rotate the bearing on the smooth shaft so that there are two rows of balls resting on top of the rod. If you don't do this there's a chance it'll sit on just one row which will make it less stable and noisier/rougher. I marked the "top" of my bearings with sharpie so I know how to align them before I tighten the zip ties.]]> Vanbot Reprappers Mon, 18 May 2015 13:58:04 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509661#msg-509661 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509661#msg-509661 the_digital_dentist Reprappers Sat, 16 May 2015 13:05:53 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509619#msg-509619 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509619#msg-509619
What do you think?
-Olaf]]> o_lampe Reprappers Sat, 16 May 2015 11:39:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509504#msg-509504 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509504#msg-509504
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gordonendersby
I also managed to wear grooves into my x-axis smooth rods with cheap lm8uu bearings.
Even using lythium grease from first fitting.

Gordon

If you're wearing grooves into the rods its because the rods are not made for ball bearings. Ball bearings require a hardened surface or they WILL chew grooves into it.

Unfortunately, the market is awash in low quality rods and bearings made for people who are trying to build cheap 3D printers. Here's what appears to be a quality bearing at a reasonable price: [www.ebay.com] and the catalog page on them: [uk.misumi-ec.com] It isn't a drop in replacement for an LM8UU, so you'll probably have to redesign some parts for your printer to make them work, but that's exactly what a 3D printer is good for- customization. They will need hardened rods...]]> the_digital_dentist Reprappers Sat, 16 May 2015 06:43:18 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509433#msg-509433 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509433#msg-509433
On the bay I could also find HQ balls to replace the crappy chinese ones.
Maybe worth to dig for ceramic balls? They can run without grease and have the lowest friction.

-Olaf]]> o_lampe Reprappers Sat, 16 May 2015 02:27:12 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509340#msg-509340 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509340#msg-509340
Take them apart and find a flattened ball - It would be worth just trying to source quality bearing balls. Sure they'd work out cheaper and its the balls that are doing the work.

I'd be dubious of printed ones but I can't say for sure.

This would be a useful thread to keep updated with results. I've had some terrible quality bearing units (but cheap)

-a]]> alan richard Reprappers Fri, 15 May 2015 16:36:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509002#msg-509002 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,509002#msg-509002 www.thingiverse.com]]]> milkypostman Reprappers Thu, 14 May 2015 17:43:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,508999#msg-508999 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,508999#msg-508999 LINK]]> AquaticsLive Reprappers Thu, 14 May 2015 17:33:27 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,508975#msg-508975 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,508975#msg-508975 Even using lythium grease from first fitting.

Gordon]]> gordonendersby Reprappers Thu, 14 May 2015 15:52:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,508932#msg-508932 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,508932#msg-508932 milkypostman Reprappers Thu, 14 May 2015 13:17:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,508908#msg-508908 Re: Where to get quality lm8uu linear bearings https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,508466,508908#msg-508908 Nikki81 Reprappers Thu, 14 May 2015 11:23:45 -0400