Search:

If you haven't already done the deed, this is what I went with. It's more money, but it's so much more machine. The on-line price is considerably higher than what it sells for. Call Matt, and see...

I've been doing some research, and I don't think you're going to find what you're looking for in the $800 range for new kit. Maybe eBay, or Surplus Center can get you started, but you're probably...

Springlake,

I'm sure you're right, but that's a good reason to stick with the Acme leadscrew on the Z axis. Even a brake has the potential to fail at an inopportune moment.

I could weigh the...

I guess it's obvious that more steps per inch of travel translates to greater accuracy, but a reduction in overall speed. I'm more interested in accuracy than speed, so the calculations, above, are...

Skmetal7,

Thanks for that link. That's certainly much less expensive than what I was seeing at McMaster. Here's a question: how do you "preload" the leadscrew with ballscrews? Do you just put...

Pres,

I wouldn't mind if you'd elaborate, a little, about the problems with installing ballscrews at a later time. I'm thinking that the only things that would have to change are the rates of...

I've found that there is a noticable amount of backlash in my X and Y leadscrews (around .015"), so I'm concerned that positional accuracy would be diminished by continuing to use the Acme leadscrews...

Acondit,

Thanks! That really helps. Very good information. As I move forward in the learning process, I'm thinking about ways to install ballscrews. What's the usual method for attaching the...

Thank you, Project5k. That answers that question. Now, I see that ballscrews and nuts and end plates are very expensive. Given that this is a RF45 clone mill, what size ballscrews are appropriate...

Thanks, Al.

That clarifies my understanding, somewhat. So, if I decide that 60 ipm is all I require, then I can calculate the gear ratio from the motor speed and screw pitch, and use servos...

Acondit,

Thanks for the excellent info. That's the sort of thing I hadn't gathered from my research. Since I'm less interested in speed than accuracy and torque, I think I'll go with steppers. ...

Acondit,

Which type of motor is better suited for moving the mass of the table, vise, rotab, and workpiece? Why would you choose one type over the other? I'm not looking to do this on the cheap,...

Thanks, Skullworks!

So, if I understand, correctly, I need a PC with appropriate software, a breakout board, three drivers, a suitable power supply, three motors with the required gear reduction,...

I know this has been covered, but following the discussions has lead to mucho confusion.

I'm in the planning stages of converting my square-column mill to CNC, and there are some gaps in my...

I'm up in Beaver County, and I need some help getting started with a CNC conversion of my square-column mill.

I'm trying to figure out all the pieces I'm going to need, but it's a little...

Usually, it's twice the distance between the spindle centerline and the column. For instance, a 12" swing would indicate 6" between the spindle centerline and the column.