Smooth rod

Anyone see a problem with me using Aluminum smooth rod instead of steel ? its alot lighter , and cheaper and i think bushings would slide the same.

also in the SAE prusa parts list it says to get #6 bolts , all the #6 bolts ive found vary by brand . Some are 3.3mm some 3.5mm and others 4mm so I'm kind of confused which I should get?

Thanks for the help.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/2011 09:37PM by Rooski.

i think it will wear out quickly, especially with bushings.

That said, i'm using carbon fiber tubing and it works great. i'm using bearings, though.

Al is probably too soft and flexible -- even cheap steel is more rigid.

Also, Al has an oxide layer. Al oxide is the grit in sandpaper. Sliding friction, especially metal-on-metal, will scrape small amounts off, resulting in a fine abrasive in the sliding parts. It'll certainly work for a while, and that could be a long while, long enough you may not care.