Hi all! I'm just getting into metal working but am already loving it. I have several projects I'd like to build on my Cummins X2 mill. With that said, I'm trying to decide what makes the most sense. My first thought was to go straight to a DIY CNC system (FigNoggle looks good) but after research it seemed that a DRO would be a useful first step and then add a CNC later. A DRO will increase my productivity (and to be honest, my accuracy) a great deal. Also, I think it will make the mill much more fun in general.

This was all based on the assumption that a DRO would be usable as a way to increase accuracy while performing CNC operations (hence not really become obsolete). I know that Mach3 supports DRO systems but I'm confused. It seems that even if you have a DRO, it provides no advantage to the CNC process? Am I missing something here? A read through the Mach3 docs makes it look like the DRO data simply gets displayed on the screen for convenience and isn't used as a way to reduce/eliminate backlash. Is there a reason for this? Seems like the computer could sample DRO data to make intelligent decisions rather then just blindly follow the g-code.

I'm a little nervous that I will invest more then the mill itself to add CNC capabilities only to find out that backlash gives me visibly oval-shaped cicles, etc. I don't need extreme accuracy but a few of the "horror stories" on here are just enough to make anyone cringe. Wasting all that money for mediocre results is not in my nature. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Michael

I have a X2 that I CNC'd myself from Ron Sterlings plans as a no experiance hobbiest and replaced the leadscrews with ballscrews to eliminate backlash. The process was straight forward and the results way beyond what I expected. Fignoogle has a great ballscrew kit I think, I used the less expensive 5/8" screw stock which required alot of stock removal, fignoogle has a better aproach probably, but I am happy with mine and would reccomend doing a conversion for sure. You will need a lathe for the ballscrews, but you can find them cut and machined if you dont have one. I'd save the money for your CNC instead of spending it on a DRO, unless a DRO is all you need and you are going to be happy with just the DRO.

Thanks for the good advice and pictures. Back to my original plan, CNC it is :)

I'll have another post with all my spec'd out parts and such soon. Thanks!