Ball bearings! Sounds like a decent idea.
Today I disassembled the compound, since it was on top and the first thing to remove. Using 300, 600, 1200, 1500, 2000, 4000 grit paper on a granite block, I polished all surfaces that ride against one another. That not only included dovetails but the side of the gib that touches the dovetail, the front side of the mounting plate, rear of compound handwheel, and rear of the nut that holds the wheel on. Chasing threads for the gib adjustment screws helped me fine tune the feel. Silky smooth now with no play.
Next will be the cross slide. Much bigger job.
I compare this to polishing the slide/frame fit on a 1911. Easy does it. Slow progress until it's just right.
I found that using Spyderco stones helped to get inside the dovetails. To those who don't know, the Triangle Sharpener is one of my most used polishing tools.
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