Linear Shafts (Shafting)

Linear Shafts

Linear shafts are straight, cylindrical machine elements that provide a round running surface for plain linear bearings, linear ball bearings, and roller bearings. PBC Linear® offers USA-made linear shafts in 1060 carbon steel, stainless steel, and lightweight ceramic-coated aluminum. Carbon steel provides high hardness and wear resistance for general industrial motion; stainless steel adds corrosion resistance for washdown, food, drug, and other corrosion-sensitive equipment; and ceramic-coated aluminum reduces moving weight while maintaining a durable bearing surface. Solid shafts are undrilled along their length, while pre-drilled shafts include mounting holes for attachment to supports or machine structures. Inch and metric diameter options are available in standard lengths or cut to length. The optimized surface finish promotes faster break-in and improved liner transfer with self-lubricating plain linear bearings, helping extend service life and reduce maintenance. Hardened steel versions also provide the running-surface durability required for linear ball bearings and roller bearings. Shaft straightness is maintained within 0.001"–0.002" per foot cumulative, depending on shaft size and configuration.

More About Linear Shafts

Ways to Order

Catalog Preview
Web Catalog Web Catalog Download PDF Download PDF Video Video Features Features

Browse Categories

480 products
Solid Linear Shaft of Ceramic Coated Aluminum, 3/16" diameter, 3" length. This feather-weight yet strong shaft boasts RC70 hardness, superior corrosion resistance, non-magnetic properties, vibration resistance, and immunity to weld splatter, paints, and contaminants. It’s crafted exclusively for plain bearings like Simplicity® self-lubricating linear bearings, not for linear ball bearings..
$2.75
Linear Shaft of 420 Stainless Steel with a 1/2" diameter and 12" length, featuring an optimized surface finish for self-lubricating Simplicity ® plain linear bearings and linear ball bearings. Manufactured to RC 50 Plus, hardened stainless steel shaft is not drilled nor tapped. You can click "Configure & Quote" below..
$42.39
Linear Shaft End Support Block for a 3/4" diameter shaft Part Number NSB12 Diameter 3/4" Shaft Type Aluminum End Support Block
$29.03
Linear Shaft End Support Block for a 5/8" diameter shaft Part Number NSB10 Diameter 5/8" Shaft Type Aluminum End Support Block
$26.70
Linear Shaft End Support Block for a 1/4" diameter shaft Part Number NSB04 Diameter 1/4" Shaft Type Aluminum End Support Block
$16.25
Linear Shaft made of 440 Stainless Steel with a diameter of 3/16" and a length of 12". Length tolerance: +/- 0.03"  Part Number NIL03SS-012-000-SL Diameter 3/16"" Material 440 SS Stainless Steel Length 12" Pre-Drilled Not Drilled - Not Tapped Type
$35.18
Linear Shaft Support Block made of Steel with 2" Diameter Part Number LSB32 Diameter 2" Shaft Type Steel End Support Block
$104.68
Pre-Drilled Linear Shaft of Ceramic Coated Aluminum, 1.25" diameter, 12" length. This feather-weight yet strong shaft boasts RC70 hardness, superior corrosion resistance, non-magnetic properties, vibration resistance, and immunity to weld splatter, paints, and contaminants. It’s crafted exclusively for plain bearings like Simplicity® self-lubricating linear bearings, not for linear ball bearings..
$68.10
Pre-Drilled Linear Shaft of Ceramic Coated Aluminum, 8mm diameter, 300mm length. This feather-weight yet strong shaft boasts RC70 hardness, superior corrosion resistance, non-magnetic properties, vibration resistance, and immunity to weld splatter, paints, and contaminants. It’s crafted exclusively for plain bearings like Simplicity® self-lubricating linear bearings, not for linear ball bearings..
$32.74
Pre-Drilled Linear Shaft of 440 Stainless Steel with a 2" diameter and 24" length, made in the USA by PBC Linear® with Simplicity® RC 50 Plus Hardness™. Pre-drilled with industry-standard hole spacing, but no tapping has been done. Click Configure CAD and Quote for tapping or custom lengths. Optimized for..
$615.42
Pre-drilled linear shaft of 1060 carbon steel, 1" diameter, 12" length, made in the USA by PBC Linear® from RC 60 Plus™ case-hardened steel. Rated Class L for the highest level of precision tolerance and standards compliance, the shaft has mounting holes spaced 6" apart, starting 3" from one end...
$63.66
Pre-Drilled Linear Shaft of 440 Stainless Steel with a 0.75" diameter and 12" length, made in the USA by PBC Linear® with Simplicity® RC 50 Plus Hardness™. Pre-drilled with industry-standard hole spacing, but no tapping has been done. Click Configure CAD and Quote for tapping or custom lengths. Optimized for..
$85.49
Linear shaft of 1060 carbon steel with 2.5" diameter and 48" length, solid and undrilled, featuring RC 60 Plus™ case-hardened steel and Class L diameter tolerance for a controlled bearing fit. Made in the USA by PBC Linear®, this shaft is not tapped, which means it has no internally threaded..
$537.32
Linear shaft of 440C stainless steel, 1.5" diameter, 48" length. The solid, undrilled round shaft features RC 50 Plus™ hardness, Class L diameter tolerance, and an optimized surface finish for Simplicity® self-lubricating plain linear bearings and linear ball bearings. This shaft is not tapped, which means it has no internally..
$516.20
Linear Shaft of hardened carbon steel, 40mm diameter, 1000mm length, made in the USA by PBC Linear® as Simplicity® 60 Plus steel. Featuring an optimized surface finish that enhances the performance of linear bearings such as self-lubricating plain bearings, ball bearings, roller bearing pillow blocks, and guide carriages. Solid, not..
$191.96
Linear Shaft of hardened carbon steel, 50mm diameter, 600mm length, made in the USA by PBC Linear® as Simplicity® 60 Plus steel. Featuring an optimized surface finish that enhances the performance of linear bearings such as self-lubricating plain bearings, ball bearings, roller bearing pillow blocks, and guide carriages. Solid, not..
$200.96
Linear Shaft of 440C Stainless Steel with a 1.5" diameter and 36" length, round, solid and undrilled, featuring an optimized surface finish for self-lubricating Simplicity® plain linear bearings and linear ball bearings. Made in the USA by PBC Linear® as RC 50 Plus™ hardened stainless steel, the shaft is not..
$387.15
Solid Linear Shaft of Ceramic Coated Aluminum, 2" diameter, 36" length. This feather-weight yet strong shaft boasts RC70 hardness, superior corrosion resistance, non-magnetic properties, vibration resistance, and immunity to weld splatter, paints, and contaminants. It’s crafted exclusively for plain bearings like Simplicity® self-lubricating linear bearings, not for linear ball bearings..
$175.89
Linear Shaft of 440C Stainless Steel with a 1.5" diameter and 18" length, round, solid and undrilled, featuring an optimized surface finish for self-lubricating Simplicity® plain linear bearings and linear ball bearings. Made in the USA by PBC Linear® as RC 50 Plus™ hardened stainless steel, the shaft is not..
$193.57
Linear shaft of 1060 carbon steel with 1" diameter and 36" length, solid, round and undrilled, featuring RC 60 Plus™ case-hardened steel and Class L diameter tolerance for a controlled bearing fit. Made in the USA by PBC Linear®, this shaft is not tapped, which means it has no internally..
$79.79

Linear Shafts

480 products

Linear shafts are straight, cylindrical machine elements that provide a round running surface for plain linear bearings, linear ball bearings, and roller bearings. PBC Linear® offers USA-made linear shafts in 1060 carbon steel, stainless steel, and lightweight ceramic-coated aluminum. Carbon steel provides high hardness and wear resistance for general industrial motion; stainless steel adds corrosion resistance for washdown, food, drug, and other corrosion-sensitive equipment; and ceramic-coated aluminum reduces moving weight while maintaining a durable bearing surface. Solid shafts are undrilled along their length, while pre-drilled shafts include mounting holes for attachment to supports or machine structures. Inch and metric diameter options are available in standard lengths or cut to length. The optimized surface finish promotes faster break-in and improved liner transfer with self-lubricating plain linear bearings, helping extend service life and reduce maintenance. Hardened steel versions also provide the running-surface durability required for linear ball bearings and roller bearings. Shaft straightness is maintained within 0.001"–0.002" per foot cumulative, depending on shaft size and configuration.

  • Made in the USA linear shafts for plain linear bearings, linear ball bearings, and roller bearings
  • Available in 1060 carbon steel, stainless steel, and ceramic-coated aluminum
  • Carbon steel provides high hardness and wear resistance
  • Stainless steel supports washdown, food, drug, and corrosion-sensitive equipment
  • Ceramic-coated aluminum reduces weight while providing a durable bearing surface
  • Choose solid undrilled or pre-drilled linear shafts
  • Available in inch and metric diameters
  • Standard lengths and cut-to-length options available
  • Optimized finish supports faster plain-bearing break-in and liner transfer
  • Hardened steel shafts are compatible with linear ball bearings and roller bearings
  • Cumulative straightness: 0.001"–0.002" per foot
  • Custom machining and end configurations available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a linear shaft?
A linear shaft is a straight, cylindrical machine element that provides a round running surface for plain linear bearings, linear ball bearings, or roller bearings.
What is the difference between a solid and pre-drilled linear shaft?
A solid linear shaft has no mounting holes along its length. A pre-drilled linear shaft includes holes for attachment to shaft supports, rails, or machine structures.
What does tapping mean on a linear shaft?
Tapping creates internal screw threads inside a drilled hole at one or both ends of the shaft so that a screw or bolt can be threaded into it. Tapping is an end-machining option, not a pattern of mounting holes along the shaft length.
What is an untapped shaft end?
An untapped shaft end may contain a drilled hole, but the hole has smooth internal walls with no screw threads. Tapped and untapped holes refer to end machining rather than mounting holes along the shaft length.
What is a threaded diameter?
A threaded diameter is a narrower section machined at one or both ends of a shaft, with spiral external threads cut around its outside surface. A nut or another internally threaded component can be screwed onto it.
What is a shaft chamfer?
A chamfer is an angled cut that removes the sharp edge from the end of a linear shaft. It can make assembly easier and help protect bearings during installation.
What does RC mean for linear shafts?
RC means Rockwell C, a hardness scale used for hardened steel. A rating such as RC 50+ indicates a hard, wear-resistant running surface.
What does RMS mean for shaft surface finish?
RMS means root mean square. It measures microscopic surface roughness, usually in microinches. A lower RMS number indicates a smoother shaft surface.
Why does linear shaft surface finish matter?
The surface finish affects bearing travel, friction, break-in, liner transfer, wear, and service life. An optimized finish supports smooth operation with plain linear bearings and linear ball bearings.
What is hole spacing on a pre-drilled linear shaft?
Hole spacing is the center-to-center distance between adjacent mounting holes. The distance from the shaft end to the center of the first hole also matters because it determines where the mounting pattern begins.
What is hole-spacing tolerance?
Hole-spacing tolerance is the permitted variation between the specified and finished locations of the mounting holes.
What is linear shaft length tolerance?
Length tolerance is the permitted difference between the ordered shaft length and the finished shaft length. The applicable tolerance can vary by shaft diameter, material, and configuration.
What does shaft straightness mean?
Straightness describes how much a shaft may deviate from a perfectly straight line over a specified distance. PBC Linear shafts are typically held within 0.001 inch to 0.002 inch per foot cumulative, depending on size and configuration.
What linear shaft materials are available?
Common options include 1060 carbon steel, 420 or 440 stainless steel, 300 Series stainless steel by request, and ceramic-coated aluminum.
Which linear shafts work with plain linear bearings?
Carbon steel, stainless steel, and ceramic-coated aluminum shafts can be selected for plain linear bearings. The correct material and surface finish depend on the bearing liner, load, environment, and corrosion requirements.
Which linear shafts work with linear ball bearings?
Hardened carbon steel and hardened stainless steel shafts provide the durable running surface generally required for linear ball bearings and roller bearings.
What is a cut-to-length linear shaft?
A cut-to-length shaft is supplied at a customer-specified length rather than only in a standard full length.
Can linear shafts be joined for longer travel?
Yes. Joinable shaft ends and suitable support structures can be used to create longer linear travel lengths.