Getting things together.. What IS a lead screw?

[chuckknigh]

OK, since you've got ball bearings, try this. Take one of those ball bearings (I hope it'll fit around your screw) and put your leadscrew through it. Now, put a nut on either side, to hold it on.

Grab hold of the leadscrew, and the bearing -- now spin.

You've only got to figure out a way to hold the bearing in place. Do a search on this forum for "thrust bearing" and you'll find all sorts of ideas...some simple, some complex.

As for the gantry, make it however high it needs to be. How's that for a useless answer? OK...start by drawing a rough sketch of your router, with dimensions. Now, design a framework to hold it...still on paper. Your gantry clearance should be what it takes to move your router bit from the highest to the lowest point that you need.

It's best decided, by doing the design. Depending on what you intend to do with your router, your clearance could be 1/2 inch, or several feet! For a first machine, a couple of inches is usually enough...lets you put standard plywood and MDF under it, but doesn't complicate the design too much.

-- Chuck Knight

[Zagroseckt]

hehe i think i know what your talking about when you say ballberrings but im speeking literly of (the balls)
But i can get some packed berrings i might even have some in a closet ill go look