[vcatalasan]

Anyways, I wanted to ask if anyone was able to extend the X2's y-axis base by adding 2" of gib support to the front of the machine base? Then adding about 1" of spacer to the spindle head block will give the machine a good 2 extra inch of movement on the y axis at the same time it will be supported at the extreme end. I have seen some extended DYI but some require more work, like remounting the column, which is not what I want to do.

I know it is crucial that the extended gib need to be machined to match the base. I was thinking of making a rough piece, pinning it on the front and bolting it together making sure there will be no movement, maybe even slotting the base to match a slot on the extension and then having a professional machine shop with a big enough mill that will true up the gib with a dovetail.

You think this idea would work? I wanted to get 5.5 inches as some of the pieces I will be making are 5" round material and the existing 3.5 travel is not working out. I am not looking into getting a bigger machine I barely have enough room for the X2.

Thanks, hope to hear your advices and ideas.

[hoss2006]

You could get an SX2 base from LMS and save all that work, gives over 5 inches as is.
LittleMachineShop.com - Base
Hoss

[vcatalasan]

That is awesome Hoss! I will try it. If I need a few more room will over hang the gibs

[sabastion]

If you need more y travel than that you could contact hoss or visit his website and do the same base modification that he did
Richard

[vcatalasan]

I saw his X2 freak and it looks pretty awesome! That extra base he added really made it nice.

LMS did not have any in stock so I asked them to email me when they get one in. They say around 3-4 weeks. LMS also confirmed that it is compatible, Hoss knows his stuff.

I have not made any chip fly yet with my CNC conversion but there are just so many nice additions that people have done that I just gotta have. I am still learning a lot on CAD to Gcode stuff and really just air cutting at the moment.

I am kinda excited as the machine sat as a drill press for several years.

[mpix00]

You could get an SX2 base from LMS and save all that work, gives over 5 inches as is.
LittleMachineShop.com - Base
Hoss

Hoss, I just took your advice and ordered the SX2 base. I currently have the cncfusion kit of my X2 mill. It has a 5/8" with .200 pitch ball screw. Do I need a longer ball screw for the Y axis, or is there a way I can make an attachment to use my current X2 y axis ball screw on the longer SX2 base? Thank you for your info.

[hoss2006]

cncfusion sells a kit for the LMS x2 with longer ballscrews so I'd imagine there isn't enough ballscrew thread on the original y ballscrew to work on the sx2 y axis.
Hoss

[mpix00]

Hoss, what would be a good ball screw choice? I cannot get a hold of cncfusion by phone or email. I ordered the SX2 base but need to get a longer ball screw. I currently have the cncfusion cnc kit for my x2 so I only need a longer ball screw. I called LMS and the said the regular screw on the SX2 base is 10" length total with a 7" thread. So would I need that exact size for a ball screw? .

[mhackney]

Mike, you also need to have the end of the ballscrew machined for the bearings and coupler for the stepper. That's why we recommended getting the screw from CNCFusion - they would turn the screw end to work with your CNC Fusion setup. I'd keep trying to contact them.

The other option is to get the specs for the turned down end - I think it might be available on their site - or remove yours and measure it.Then order the screw from a shop that can do the turning for you.

[mpix00]

Mike, you also need to have the end of the ballscrew machined for the bearings and coupler for the stepper. That's why we recommended getting the screw from CNCFusion - they would turn the screw end to work with your CNC Fusion setup. I'd keep trying to contact them.

The other option is to get the specs for the turned down end - I think it might be available on their site - or remove yours and measure it.Then order the screw from a shop that can do the turning for you.

Thanks Mike. I will look into it. I have been trying to contact cnc fusion , but their phone # is disconnected and they are not replying to emails. My friend owns a professional CNC shop down the road from me, so I am going to purchase the 5/8" .200 pitch ball screw from somewhere and have him machine/turn the ends for me. Is there a reputable source for a good, quality ball screw that you would suggest?

[mhackney]

If you want to use the same mount, etc, I would recommend getting Thompson as that is what CNCFusion uses. That way you won't have to make a new ball nut mount.

[mhackney]

This is right on the CNCFusion product page:

Standard ballscrew kits use 5/8" Thomson ballscrews with a .200 pitch. Here is a link to the Thomson catalog page with detailed information on the ballscrews. See page 237 for backlash info

Also a comment he posted on 3/8/2016 that ballscrews are backordered 6 weeks. So he may not have them in stock yet.