Okay guys and gals I need your superior wisdom and knowledge on how to get my process of CNC'ing a G0519 mill (Grizzly) started. First I would like to start by asking if anyone would have a better suggestion on the base machine? I like the R8 taper on the spindle and the fact that it utilizes a dovetail column. But if anyone has suggestions on a better base machine at the same or similiar price range then I'm all eyes. As for the materials I'd like to process, it would be mostly aluminum, some mild steel and some plastics. Also I'd like to integrate servo's into this machine, don't ask why but I like the whole closed loop idea and feel that it would be a great learning tool for my future career in the electromechanical discipline. I'd like to acheive tolerances in the .0001" as I'm planning to do some micro milling with this machine. Is this fesable?

Okay assuming that I went with the G0519 mill as the base, what types, brands servos and drives would/should I be looking at? As well as positional encoders?

As far as ballscrews are concerned I'd like to go with precision ground with a double nut config. to alleviate the mechanical backlash as much as possible. Recommendations?

I've never CNC'd anything before so this is all new to me but have been running and programming a High Precision Micro Milling machine for the past 3 years, so I do know the base theory behind it. But forgive my ignorance if I happen to ask any what may be stupid questions.

This will be a ongoing process confined by my salary and time, but I will be happy to share my experiences with everyone.

As for the spindle what options would I have in upgrading to a higher reving unit? Cutting at 2000rpm with micro endmills would be painstaking at best.

Hello, One thing to consider about your plans to use precision ground ballscrews with double nuts and adding precision angular contact bearing mounts for them is that the price is going to be $1000. to $1500 or more per axis, probably a lot more. A high speed proxon spindle can be mounted to the side of the regular spindle for high rpm work for less than $200.00 . http://www.littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=2892&category= Keling products which have a forum section here look like a good bet for servos and drives. Anyway It would be a lot easier and maybe cheaper to just buy a tormach ready to go for $6800.00 :) Do a lot of research and read everything in the benchtop forum here as well as the industrial hobbies section here for do it yourself ideas and help. Good luck and hopefully some other members will chime in. Dave

Thanks for the advice Davo, but buying a tormach (albeit a really nice machine) really defeats the purpose of me learning the intricases of designing and building one for myself, even if I have to go through all the mistakes and woes that would ensue. But that is why I'm here on the forums hoping to avoid most of the potiential downfalls by enlisting the help of guys such as yourselves.

I'm hoping to offset most of the cost through ebay, and I have managed to find some really nice NSK precision ground ballscrews listed there.

Now which size/leads should I be looking for in the ballscrews as well as the bearings? I'm not sure which sizes would fit the G0519 but I'm sure would require alot of retrofitting.

I'm hoping to gain a comprehensive list as I go along and weigh out the pros and cons of each..

thanks