I'm buying 3x Roton ballscrews and ballnuts this week for my Grizzly X3. For the conversion, I'm machining all the aluminum pieces myself rather than buying a kit. I'm also bribing a machinist friend to turn the ends down on a lathe and do the threading on the ends.

My question is, should I secure the ballscrew from both ends, or just a single side like the CNCfusion kit? (see link below)

http://www.roton.com/application_engineering.aspx#16

The link above shows four styles of mounting a ballscrew (fixed/free, supported/supported, free/supported, and fixed/fixed). The CNCfusion kit seems to be fixed/free. Would a fixed/supported or fixed/fixed system be overkill?

There have been a few people complaining about roton here. For my conversion I was going to research it further....
Homeshop cnc used to offer good ballscrews but it looks like they are switching over to another brand????

How you fix it depends on how fast you intended to run it. Is there some reason to doubt the procedure for determining the mounting layout given in the Roton link you posted.

Phil

I'm buying 3x Roton ballscrews and ballnuts this week for my Grizzly X3. For the conversion, I'm machining all the aluminum pieces myself rather than buying a kit. I'm also bribing a machinist friend to turn the ends down on a lathe and do the threading on the ends.

My question is, should I secure the ballscrew from both ends, or just a single side like the CNCfusion kit? (see link below)

http://www.roton.com/application_engineering.aspx#16

The link above shows four styles of mounting a ballscrew (fixed/free, supported/supported, free/supported, and fixed/fixed). The CNCfusion kit seems to be fixed/free. Would a fixed/supported or fixed/fixed system be overkill?

I like fixed/supported for X and Z and fixed/free for the Y. If using direct drive on the motor mounting I'd put the motor on the fixed end.

How you fix it depends on how fast you intended to run it. Is there some reason to doubt the procedure for determining the mounting layout given in the Roton link you posted.

Phil

I won't be running super-fast rapids or anything. No reason not to use their procedure, I just like to get rules-of-thumb and personal accounts from people before starting an important project.

There have been a few people complaining about roton here. For my conversion I was going to research it further....
Homeshop cnc used to offer good ballscrews but it looks like they are switching over to another brand????

So I should stay away from Roton?? What exactly were they complaining about.. Accuracy? Overall quality? I did a lot of searching but didn't see anything that bad about them (probably looking in the wrong place).. They are pretty cheap so I guess it doesn't surprise me.

I don't need a super-accurate machine, but it does need to be usable. If I were to map out any linear error in the screws, and use oversize balls to reduce backlash (hopefuly to ~0.001) .. Maybe even a double-nut on the Z axis.. what kind of accuracy can I expect?

I like fixed/supported for X and Z and fixed/free for the Y. If using direct drive on the motor mounting I'd put the motor on the fixed end.
Seems a great way to go. I'll more than likely be going that route.

Fixed/Supported will be fine for the X axis. I am getting 400IPM on my X3 with a .2" lead, fixed/supported X and Z, and never a problem. My ballscrews are 20mm diameter though.

Oh, what kind of ballscrews are these? I used ground ones on my X3, so the diameter was maybe a micron over 20mm. Instead of trying to turn down these beasts, I simply used a 20mm ID radial bearing and had it lightly press onto the end of the ballscrew. Check eBay for ballscrews with at least one end already turned and journaled.

So I should stay away from Roton?? What exactly were they complaining about.. Accuracy? Overall quality? I did a lot of searching but didn't see anything that bad about them (probably looking in the wrong place).. They are pretty cheap so I guess it doesn't surprise me.

I don't need a super-accurate machine, but it does need to be usable. If I were to map out any linear error in the screws, and use oversize balls to reduce backlash (hopefuly to ~0.001) .. Maybe even a double-nut on the Z axis.. what kind of accuracy can I expect?

They were complaining about accuracy. I couldnt find where Roton listed it? So that probably means they arent proud of it either.

They were complaining about accuracy. I couldnt find where Roton listed it? So that probably means they arent proud of it either.

Yep, Roton doesn't publish specs on their site.. I guess their targeted niche is linear positioning for factory automation.. think machines that cap bottles or ones that move car bumpers around. 6 thou of backlash wouldn't matter there.

As far as using them for hobby CNC use, I'm still really interested in them because they're about 1/3 as cheap as the other guys. I've read a few places that the linearity over the entire screw isn't great, but I can map that out in Mach3. What worries me is any irregularity in the ball grooves, especially since I'll be using over-sized balls. I just wish someone knew what the repeatability was...

I've had my X3 for about a year now am I'm about to embark on a conversion myself. My issue is that I don't have alot of time to make the parts myself and getting the missus to part with the cash for the cncfusion kit is like pulling teeth...your own teeth. Is there another outlet for the items needed to make the conversion or are my choices limited to cncfusion or make it yourself? I would prefer to buy the ballscrews premade and make the rest myself. Buying a lathe is definately in the plans, but not for a while so for now I would have to pay someone to turn them down for me. I like the cncfusion delux kit but it's a bit expensive for me right now, and I never think that buying the cheaper kit and upgrading later is a good idea. Wow this is frustrating.

Now that I think about it maybe if someone out there would like to do some trading of services, I have a small powder coating/ceramic coating shop, I could do some coating for you and you could turn down my ballscrews for me. I'm sure we could come to some sort of agreement. I do work mostly for local Hot Rod shops and my quality is very high. I stock a few colors but would be willing to do the work and provide the powder at cost for a trade. Anyone? Anyone?

I've had my X3 for about a year now am I'm about to embark on a conversion myself. My issue is that I don't have alot of time to make the parts myself and getting the missus to part with the cash for the cncfusion kit is like pulling teeth...your own teeth.
Yep, the CNCfusion kit is nice, but expensive compared to a 100% DIY conversion. Also be glad you're not converting an RF-45 size machine, those kits run $4500 for the ballscrews/mounts, driver, and power supply. I should be able to convert my X3 for about $400.

Is there another outlet for the items needed to make the conversion or are my choices limited to cncfusion or make it yourself? I would prefer to buy the ballscrews premade and make the rest myself. Buying a lathe is definately in the plans, but not for a while so for now I would have to pay someone to turn them down for me. I like the cncfusion delux kit but it's a bit expensive for me right now, and I never think that buying the cheaper kit and upgrading later is a good idea. Wow this is frustrating.
Why not find a machinist to turn the shafts down for you, either locally (you should always know at least a few machinist 'friends', I have 3 that I can ask favors if needed), or go to www.rfqwork.com and pay someone a fair price to turn them. Then make the pillow blocks yourself and buy the hardware (angular contact bearings, timing pulleys/belts, etc) online through McMaster or another similiar store.

By fitting oversize balls it sounds to me like you are trying to upgrade a tansport quality ball-screw to a precision machine-tool ball-screw. My understanding is that on a transport quality ball screw the backlash may vary over its whole length so adding oversize balls to remove it may end in tears.

Just something to think about.:)
Phil

Yep, Roton doesn't publish specs on their site.. I guess their targeted niche is linear positioning for factory automation.. think machines that cap bottles or ones that move car bumpers around. 6 thou of backlash wouldn't matter there.

As far as using them for hobby CNC use, I'm still really interested in them because they're about 1/3 as cheap as the other guys. I've read a few places that the linearity over the entire screw isn't great, but I can map that out in Mach3. What worries me is any irregularity in the ball grooves, especially since I'll be using over-sized balls. I just wish someone knew what the repeatability was...

By fitting oversize balls it sounds to me like you are trying to upgrade a tansport quality ball-screw to a precision machine-tool ball-screw. My understanding is that on a transport quality ball screw the backlash may vary over its whole length so adding oversize balls to remove it may end in tears.

Just something to think about.:)
Phil

I think you're right :(

Maybe I should just go with the Nook ballscrews at 3 times the price. In the long run the price difference won't matter much. What matters is that i have a usable machine when I put everything back together. I need some amount of repeatability in my setup and I won't get that using cheap parts. I've spent a week or so trudging through the web, looking for someone using these screws that is getting decent results, and haven't found much. Some people say they are "good" but don't provide numbers to back it up which leads me to believe that their expectations are pretty low.

My other option of course would be to use the Roton 'transport quality' ballscrews, Roton double ballnuts and regular size balls.. Then map out the linear error using Mach3. I'd lose some travel but I'd have repeatability. I need to run the numbers and see if I can afford to lose some of my work envelope.

Roton ballscrews are C10 or T for transport grade,lead accuracy .009.
McMaster,which I beleive are Nook are C7 at .004/ft
Larry

Roton ballscrews are C10 or T for transport grade,lead accuracy .009.
McMaster,which I beleive are Nook are C7 at .004/ft
Larry
I just got a quote back from Nook, their cheapest line of screws (SRT) are really expensive:

SEL10408 - 5/8" 0.200" SRT RH double-preload ballnut: $176.26/ea
SRT9392 - 5/8" 0.200" SRT RH leadscrew (2ft): $27.18/ea
FLG7570 - flange: $29.42/ea
WKB10407 - wiper kit: $32.60/ea

That's waaaay out of my budget. I'd hate to ask what their precision ground pieces go for.

Neil_J,
You forgot the angular contact bearings at $327.00 from McMaster.They have a 5/8 nut at $60.00.I am glad I am into wood working and can live with .016.You should read ballscrew basics by Swede in the forum.
Larry

Neil_J,
You forgot the angular contact bearings at $327.00 from McMaster.They have a 5/8 nut at $60.00.I am glad I am into wood working and can live with .016.You should read ballscrew basics by Swede in the forum.
Larry

Man I hope you're kidding :eek:

I got some cheap angular contact bearings from (I think it was) vbx bearings.

I just got a quote back from Nook, their cheapest line of screws (SRT) are really expensive:

SEL10408 - 5/8" 0.200" SRT RH double-preload ballnut: $176.26/ea
SRT9392 - 5/8" 0.200" SRT RH leadscrew (2ft): $27.18/ea
FLG7570 - flange: $29.42/ea
WKB10407 - wiper kit: $32.60/ea

That's waaaay out of my budget. I'd hate to ask what their precision ground pieces go for.


For one thing your comparing oranges to apples!
The deluxe rolled nook screws like are used in CNCfusions deluxe kit were available from http://www.homeshopcnc.com/ two weeks ago for under $2 an inch and the single nuts were $29 each.
looks like they are switching over to another brand. They cant be the only supplier for Nook at a reasonable cost....
Mcmaster and Nook Direct probably arent your best solutions budget wise.

For one thing your comparing oranges to apples!
The deluxe rolled nook screws like are used in CNCfusions deluxe kit were available from http://www.homeshopcnc.com/ two weeks ago for under $2 an inch and the single nuts were $29 each.
looks like they are switching over to another brand. They cant be the only supplier for Nook at a reasonable cost....
Mcmaster and Nook Direct probably arent your best solutions budget wise.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.. But neither CNCfusion nor McMaster Carr offer Nook's 'deluxe' ballscrews for that price. I'm pretty sure you're referring to the SRT 'economy' type. Their deluxe rolled line are labeled XPR, and the high-end ground screws are labeled SGT.

Lead accuracies for entire Nook line:
± 0.004 in/ft - Standard Rolled (SRT)
± 0.001 in/ft - Precision Rolled (XPR)
± 0.0005 in/ft - Precision Ground (SGT)

CNCfusion offers the precision rolled screws in a kit for $949, which is $380 more than the standard kit.

The ones I quoted earlier were the SRT double-nut versions which explains the price difference. I'm more concerned with backlash than linear accuracy, since I can map the latter out with Mach3. I keep going back and forth between double-nut preloaded and single-nut with oversized balls. Who knows what I'll decided right before I press the order button...

The delux rolled ballscrews from CNC fusion are .004/ft same as mcmaster at $1.27/ft.
Apples and oranges are very similar.
larry

Does anybody got any info on these
http://stepper3.com/shop/index.php/cPath/68

(edit)
Never mind, I thought they were ball screws..... but they're not.
.003-.008 per foot

Please correct me if I'm wrong.. But neither CNCfusion nor McMaster Carr offer Nook's 'deluxe' ballscrews for that price. I'm pretty sure you're referring to the SRT 'economy' type. Their deluxe rolled line are labeled XPR, and the high-end ground screws are labeled SGT.

Lead accuracies for entire Nook line:
± 0.004 in/ft - Standard Rolled (SRT)
± 0.001 in/ft - Precision Rolled (XPR)
± 0.0005 in/ft - Precision Ground (SGT)

CNCfusion offers the precision rolled screws in a kit for $949, which is $380 more than the standard kit.

The ones I quoted earlier were the SRT double-nut versions which explains the price difference. I'm more concerned with backlash than linear accuracy, since I can map the latter out with Mach3. I keep going back and forth between double-nut preloaded and single-nut with oversized balls. Who knows what I'll decided right before I press the order button...

Ok No I was not talking about Nooks economy line... And I'm fully aware of the differences glad to see you finally are.
Its getting pretty frustrating trying to help you if you wont listen! You may understand that some suppliers are cheaper than others. The ball screws / prices I was talking about were XPR / single nuts from here http://www.homeshopcnc.com/@.001!
I know that you were complaining about the cost of the double nut versions and you said they were out of your price range! I was sugesting what you could do to get reasonable quality without having you drop way down to roton.

Ok No I was not talking about Nooks economy line... And I'm fully aware of the differences glad to see you finally are.
Its getting pretty frustrating trying to help you if you wont listen! You may understand that some suppliers are cheaper than others. The ball screws / prices I was talking about were XPR / single nuts from here http://www.homeshopcnc.com/
I know that you were complaining about the cost of the double nut versions and you said they were out of your price range! I was sugesting what you could do to get reasonable quality without having you drop way down to roton.
Oh, crap, I could have sworn you said CNCfusion.com, not homeshopCNC.com! :o In that case yes, I see what you're saying!

Looks like I'll have to wait until Jan.31 to see what prices homeshopcnc has on the new brand.

No problem I'm doing the same as you. I found that site to have quality items that are reasonable. Hossmachine of X2 mill fame had it linked...I think thats what he used.
The owner can answer allot of the questions you have. About preloading and double nuts. They had XPR in stock they may just have changed the website for a new brand.

The accuracy for the Roton ballscrew was specified to be .003 - .006 inch per foot according to the email I received from their support person a couple weeks back. I am just starting the conversion of my X2 using their screws with dual nuts(they arrived last week). For angular contact bearings I went with those from VXB.COM. Everything is a compromise but for the $ investment not sure how one can do much better. Just my 2 cents...

The accuracy for the Roton ballscrew was specified to be .003 - .006 inch per foot according to the email I received from their support person a couple weeks back. I am just starting the conversion of my X2 using their screws with dual nuts(they arrived last week). For angular contact bearings I went with those from VXB.COM. Everything is a compromise but for the $ investment not sure how one can do much better. Just my 2 cents...
Where did you get the double ballnuts, and what did you pay for them if you don't mind me asking?

DonF,
Homeshop selling Nook XPR at.001 is news to me.I have the page before the REX announcement and they had Thompson at.004.
http://www.lowcostcncretrofits.com/Ballscrews%20and%20transmision.html
I assume the REX will be similar in cost,which would be a bargoon compared to other suppliers.
RTP,Roton's acme screws are .003 to.006 the ballscrews areT.Sales people will tell you what you want to hear.
Another link with comparisons of screws.
http://www.fignoggle.com/library/ballscrewCharts.htm#ballscrewchart
I will go out on a limb on this one any bashing is welcomed.(chair).
From all the research I have done on ballscrews,it appears rolled screws use double nuts and springs to counter backlash,while oversized balls are ground screw territory???
Funny,after all the screw research,I found I need R&P.Larry

DonF,
Homeshop selling Nook XPR at.001 is news to me.I have the page before the REX announcement and they had Thompson at.004.

Well then maybe you should look more often then because they have had XPR for a while!
Heres googles version of the old page -

http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:FTFjt0fSVQwJ:homeshopcnc.com/page3.html+xpr+ballscrews+homeshopcnc&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

Neil J
You can make your own double nut using two single nuts I will have to search for the link and post it latter.

http://www.tomsinstitute.com/Ball%20Screw%20Conversion.htm
Found it!

Where did you get the double ballnuts, and what did you pay for them if you don't mind me asking?

Neil,

I just ordered two of the Roton single nuts and will make a simple adapter to tie the two nuts together with a Belleville washer. I think the nuts were in the $25-$30 range each. Roton has a double nut as well but I think the price is around $100 each. Their website has pricing info. Delivery was very fast and everything was well packed.

Robert

Neil J
You can make your own double nut using two single nuts I will have to search for the link and post it latter.

http://www.tomsinstitute.com/Ball%20Screw%20Conversion.htm
Found it!
Wow, very cool. I wasn't even going to ask if that could be done, thinking it would be a stupid question to ask. I'll have to look into this now. Thanks for the link :D

Neil,

I just ordered two of the Roton single nuts and will make a simple adapter to tie the two nuts together with a Belleville washer. I think the nuts were in the $25-$30 range each. Roton has a double nut as well but I think the price is around $100 each. Their website has pricing info. Delivery was very fast and everything was well packed.

Robert
Yep, you guys have convinced me. I'm getting a set of cheap Roton or Nook ballscrews, and buying two sets of nuts per axis, and some misc. hardware. Finally, a cheap and accurate CNC machine is within my reach :) I should be buying the parts very soon... I'll post a thread with pics when the conversion starts..

Yep, you guys have convinced me. I'm getting a set of cheap Roton or Nook ballscrews, and buying two sets of nuts per axis, and some misc. hardware. Finally, a cheap and accurate CNC machine is within my reach :) I should be buying the parts very soon... I'll post a thread with pics when the conversion starts..

Its not that easy.... Dual nuts take up space and you can loose alot of travel at times if your not careful... Making a small machine even smaller!

Its not that easy.... Dual nuts take up space and you can loose alot of travel at times if your not careful... Making a small machine even smaller!
I'm prepared to sacrifice some of my work envelope to eliminate backlash. I used to own a Sherline CNC after all :) Really, I won't miss 1-2" of travel on the X and Z... I'll have to be careful on the Y axis though. Only 5-3/4" of travel, so I might have to use a better quality ballscrew assembly there (heck maybe even a precision-ground assembly from Ebay)

i ordered some nook ballscrews a few weeks ago and have recently loaded oversize balls in one of the nuts, and now i have zero backlash. the standard ball size was 1/8" and loaded .1261" balls every other ball.

Where are folks getting their ball screws and nuts from now that homeshopcnc is carrying something different?

I went to insert the new offering nut into my model and the interference was evident immediately. they're 40mm tall and on the X I only have 36.9mm clearance, 38.2mm on the Y nut.

I really, REALLY don't want to machine down the saddle or the base to accept a taller nut because it has and integral flange - I planned to make my own nut mounts and tap & pin the nuts in place.

Does Nook do direct sales? Their XPR screw (that homeshopcnc used to handle) is what I designed around.

Does Nook do direct sales? Their XPR screw (that homeshopcnc used to handle) is what I designed around.
They do sell direct. Their prices is right at MSRP, i.e. you might or might not find an online store out there selling them for less. They don't post prices on their site, so you have to get a quote either online, over the phone, or via fax (or know a ballpark figure) before you order.

They do sell direct. Their prices is right at MSRP, i.e. you might or might not find an online store out there selling them for less. They don't post prices on their site, so you have to get a quote either online, over the phone, or via fax (or know a ballpark figure) before you order.

Thanks - I did finally see the request a quote page so I submitted a quote for everything I'd need for XYZ, I was planning on doing XY to start and then hit the Z to spread out the $$, but might as well see the whole sha-bang.

Already have my Geckos and steppers ordered, maybe the tax "Rebate" will cover everything else I need and leave me enough to bribe my brother to spend a day in his shop tweaking his lathe so it runs concentric and do the end machining myself. :)

Thanks - I did finally see the request a quote page so I submitted a quote for everything I'd need for XYZ, I was planning on doing XY to start and then hit the Z to spread out the $$, but might as well see the whole sha-bang.

Already have my Geckos and steppers ordered, maybe the tax "Rebate" will cover everything else I need and leave me enough to bribe my brother to spend a day in his shop tweaking his lathe so it runs concentric and do the end machining myself. :)

Yep, luckily you've got a 'tax rebate' and an 'economic stimulus' check coming your way.. do the economy a favor and get some nice CNC hardware :D

Good luck with your project... Don't forget to post your setup to the Zone when you finish it :)

The Homeshop prices are out.Here they are thanks to our moderator ATAXY'

Screw stock: $1.89/in
Ballnut: $95/ea
Fixed end support: $120/ea
Free end support: $55/ea
Standard end machining for fixed end: $85
End machining for free end: $25
Larry

The Homeshop prices are out.Here they are thanks to our moderator ATAXY'

Screw stock: $1.89/in
Ballnut: $95/ea
Fixed end support: $120/ea
Free end support: $55/ea
Standard end machining for fixed end: $85
End machining for free end: $25
Larry

OUCH! :eek:

Looks like I'm going with the Nooks on McMaster.

P.S, I managed to get my weblog online, with pictures of my X3 mill. Also recently I ordered 3x 15/16-16 flange nuts from WidgitMaster on eBay:

http://neiljansen.com/blog/category/projects/cnc-milling-machine/

OUCH! :eek:

Looks like I'm going with the Nooks on McMaster.

P.S, I managed to get my weblog online, with pictures of my X3 mill. Also recently I ordered 3x 15/16-16 flange nuts from WidgitMaster on eBay:

http://neiljansen.com/blog/category/projects/cnc-milling-machine/

yeah i had the same reaction when i got there mail

Did anyone ask why? The jump in price $29-$95 is crazy unless there is something I dont know - like its two nuts in one with a wiper?
I do see where its a four circuit nut.... and some of nooks are marked as a single??

i dont know why that jump in price all i know is that they come preloaded now as default but still i doubt they will get as much hobby customer as they use to but the only thing i can see would be that they are better made then before

Did anyone ask why? The jump in price $29-$95 is crazy unless there is something I dont know - like its two nuts in one with a wiper?
I do see where its a four circuit nut.... and some of nooks are marked as a single??


i dont know why that jump in price all i know is that they come preloaded now as default but still i doubt they will get as much hobby customer as they use to but the only thing i can see would be that they are better made then before

Guys, First off, the new rex nut is preloaded using the lead offset method and includes a flange, The preloaded nook XPR nut cost $60 not $30 and there optional flange cost $30 or $35 bucks. THe rex nut is not anymore expensive. The price for the screw is cheaper too although it is less accurate rated at .0018"/foot.

Even so, I am still dissappointed and would have preferece those nook screws partially because I have never even heard of REX. I am on a quest to find those XPR screws for the same price homeshopcnc provided with no such luck. I requested a quote for a 40 in .631 XPR screw with a PRN preloaded nut and they told me $460! Thats around double the cost of what homeshopcnc offered! :(

rex is the mother company of homeshopcnc
http://homeshopcnc.com/page2.html

Guys, First off, the new rex nut is preloaded using the lead offset method and includes a flange, The preloaded nook XPR nut cost $60 not $30 and there optional flange cost $30 or $35 bucks. THe rex nut is not anymore expensive. The price for the screw is cheaper too although it is less accurate rated at .0018"/foot.

Even so, I am still dissappointed and would have preferece those nook screws partially because I have never even heard of REX. I am on a quest to find those XPR screws for the same price homeshopcnc provided with no such luck. I requested a quote for a 40 in .631 XPR screw with a PRN preloaded nut and they told me $460! Thats around double the cost of what homeshopcnc offered! :(

I had planned to buy the Nooks from Mcmaster at $24.65 per nut (double on X,Z, preloaded single on Y).. I found flange nuts on Ebay for $7.00 each. That would have totaled to $146.00, plus $1.27 per inch of ballscrew needed. The Rex system OTOH would be $285 + $1.89 per inch of ballscrew needed.

Obviously if you have the extra cash, the Rex system is the winner here. Only $150 more, but better accuracy and more X/Z travel (compared to double-nuts). Hmmm C7 quality versus T8??? I'll find somewhere else on my machine to save $150. Yep I know where my money's going :cool:

rex is the mother company of homeshopcnc
http://homeshopcnc.com/page2.html

So for that price, are they 'Made in the USA' by Rex Industries, or imported from a foriegn vendor?

Neil,I agree the homeshop Rex is the best accuracy for the money,but you must determine that the ballnut is not to large.Next choice would be McMaster carr.At Reid thompson nuts are$124.00??THK's at MSC are to reduculous to bother.
Here is some Roton info I got from searching the CNC Zone.
Lead accuracy anywhere from .003 to .010.Apparently you can request .003.Rolled screws can vary a lot and manufactures select and grade what they rolled.
Many Zoners used Roton and are quite happy.Perhaps they got lucky.A call to Roton may be in order to confirm the .003 request.If they can supply they would be the best bang for the buck.Sorry I know nothing about mills.I researched screws for a 5X10 wood router and have to go R&P.Even 10'Rotons are $700.

Larry

Neil,I agree the homeshop Rex is the best accuracy for the money,but you must determine that the ballnut is not to large.
I believe they will fit my X3 mill. They are a bit bigger than the Nook square nuts, but not by much.

Many Zoners used Roton and are quite happy.Perhaps they got lucky.
They're probably happy they got a ballscrew setup for <$100. I can relate, I bought a new laptop for $300 the other day, which isn't a great performer by laptop standards, but hey it was only $300.

Dredging up an old thread but my clearance model for the X3 indicated that without milling/grinding the nut flange on the new Homeshop nuts they would not fit.

The reason you got a sticker shock with a quoted price on the Nook nuts is because the nuts that should go with the XPR screws are not what Homeshop (and CNCFusion) were/are offering at ~$30 a piece. The nuts they were offering are the cut nuts not ground nuts which are intended to be paired with the SRT screws. I opted to drop to the cut nuts and save the $$. I threaded one on when my 6' of screw and 3 nuts showed up (2 for X and 1 for Y which will get preloaded with some oversized balls) and the fit was beautiful. Rolled all the way down to where I rolled the sheath back on the screw with no effort whatsoever, shaft was barely elevated from horizontal, and there was no perceptible lash, but under load I'm sure that'll change. Once I get my X and Y machined, turned and installed I'll design the Z around the same screw (got a 6' standard length which is enough for all 3) and should be up and running by the end of March. :)