2 Questions
1. The CNCfusion kit has the z-axis leadscrew to the side of the head. This must cause the head to twist on the dovetails to some extent. Is it significant w.r.t. the acuracy of the x-axis that it is going to be fighting against ?


2. Anyone used this kit in the U.K. ? Did you get hit for import tax ?

2 Questions
1. The CNCfusion kit has the z-axis leadscrew to the side of the head. This must cause the head to twist on the dovetails to some extent. Is it significant w.r.t. the acuracy of the x-axis that it is going to be fighting against ?


2. Anyone used this kit in the U.K. ? Did you get hit for import tax ?

I guess its swings and roundabouts as even a centrally mounted screw to the rear will have the weight of the head pulling on the dovetails at the top and pushing away at the bottom? If you accept the machines limitations and tighten the gibbs, movement should be minimal?
As regards anyone in the UK - i'll let you know in a month or so as i'm about to order mine:) Quadrant2005 made some vids on his install - check the fusion web site - he's deffo a Brit OK ! I'm gonna see if they'll do some 'creative accounting' for customs:)

It can also be in front of the column and central a la Hoss machine or StirlingSteel plans which will minimise any torsional moment.

I'd be interested as to how he prices the shipping cost relative to the item on the shipping documents. If he's helpful let us know.

I have placed my ballscrew on the side of the X2, and I have experienced no problems with this setup. I have also spent a couple days lapping the ways on the machine so that it doesnt bind up in any position.

I have placed my ballscrew on the side of the X2, and I have experienced no problems with this setup. I have also spent a couple days lapping the ways on the machine so that it doesnt bind up in any position.

Could you explain how you did the lapping, or show me where it's described?

Thanks!

tom

I guess its swings and roundabouts as even a centrally mounted screw to the rear will have the weight of the head pulling on the dovetails at the top and pushing away at the bottom? If you accept the machines limitations and tighten the gibbs, movement should be minimal?
As regards anyone in the UK - i'll let you know in a month or so as i'm about to order mine:) Quadrant2005 made some vids on his install - check the fusion web site - he's deffo a Brit OK ! I'm gonna see if they'll do some 'creative accounting' for customs:)

Quadrant (Richard) is a bud of mine. I'll email him to look on here to give you an answer about the import tax etc.
He has videos on youtube here (http://www.youtube.com/user/quadrant2005) and has been busy using the mill with the cncfusion kit to make the parts for his Johnny5 robot.
The side mount looks like it works perfectly well.
Hoss

It's more like sanding down the ways actually.
The first thing I did was to make the gibs plane. I did this on a nice granite surface with a sheet of fine grit sand paper on it. Once that is done, you will have to sand down the high places on the ways. You can feel where the ways are too big by tightening the gibs in and moving the axis by hand (dont tighten too much). When you know where the tight spots are, use one of the gibs with a piece of fine grit sandpaper wrapped around it to sand down the high spots.
I know this is not the best way to do this, but it worked for me. I would have loved to use a long piece of flat steel to lap the ways and to use some markers to see where the high spots are, but for this kind of machine, its okey to do what I have done.

PS. Use fine grit sandpaper for everything. It might take time, but its safer then using coarse sand paper and ending up removing too much material.

Mounting the ball screw on the side of the head is fine IMO. I've done it on both machines, and have had no problem with it. If your gibbs are adjusted properly, the head can only move in the up/down direction anyways. It's when the gibbs are loose that you will see a problem with the setup, but you would see the same problem no matter where the ball nut is mounted.

Paul

Fair enough. Mount to side seems to be considered just as good as centre.
Thanks for your input.
Alan