What do you guys think about using tables like these for a ready made X,Y axis for the basis of a milling type machine with a fixed head. (apart from the z axis of course).

http://www.rdgtools.co.uk/acatalog/COMPOUND_TABLES.html

Would like to build a second machine for working with aluminium, so it needs to be fairly ridged. I would be happy with a 9" x 9" ish cutting area as on my own mcahine I have 24" x 12" and always tend to be working in the corner !

Check this out -

http://cgi.ebay.com/6in-x-6in-X-Y-FIXTURE-with-ballscrews_W0QQitemZ7543798892QQcategoryZ55826QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

- - it's "buy it now" for $75!! Buy it!!!!!! (it's not mine, I just ran across it and thought of this thread).

There are a ton of ball screws and other nifty items on Ebay right now - it's been a while since I have seen this many screws on Ebay...and quite a few at decent prices.

Scott

Check this out -

http://cgi.ebay.com/6in-x-6in-X-Y-FIXTURE-with-ballscrews_W0QQitemZ7543798892QQcategoryZ55826QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

- - it's "buy it now" for $75!! Buy it!!!!!! (it's not mine, I just ran across it and thought of this thread).

There are a ton of ball screws and other nifty items on Ebay right now - it's been a while since I have seen this many screws on Ebay...and quite a few at decent prices.

Scott

That actually looks pretty nice... :D

yes, that xy table looks nice, but remember the actual movement is
only 2"x2", that is fine for micro work. i believe the poster was looking
for a travel around 9".

That looks like a really nice unit, pity about the travel

http://www.pathcom.com/~vhchan/cnc/cnc.html
Found this site somewhere, have been thinking about it myself.
Colin

I have a cross slide vice on my pillar drill and I use it for milling all the time. I use a combination of winding up the table and locking the drilling lever to set the depth I need.

My cross slide would be a bit crude for CNC work, but maybe a better quality on would work.