I have a hard time seeing anyone of them doing well with die steels. Not impossible with the x3 I suppose but do expect issues with getting good surface finish.
As to the conversion and accuracy that depends on many things not just the quality of the lead screw. Fit up and adjustment of the ways is very important. Keeping high tolerances over the small distances discussed might be possible with a lower cost lead screw, but do realize if you go with fully speced ground lead screws that you will end up sinking a lot of money into the machine that could just as easily go into a Bridgeport. Your final costs going to the bigger machine (purchased used) might not be that much different from the cost of a new X3 and a conversion.
As an aside a couple of years ago I had an interesting conversation with a guy at Cabin Fever. He started up his own business much like you are intending to, that is with a converted import. Once his demand got to the point of being significant he went out and got full CNC machines from HAAS. This immediately solve a bunch of problems for him.
Now I did not relay the above story to turn you off to the idea of trying to build a business with such conversions. Rather You should not get your expectation up that high with respect to what you want to accomplish with this mill conversion. It will take considerable effort on your part to get the machine to the point of actually doing what you want. Keeping it in that condition will take effort also. You won't be able to CNC the machine and totally forget about its heritage.
Dave  |