Instant Axis?

[wbegg]

I'm a long time lurker, first time poster with a serious case of CNCitis. I recently completed my first machine (thanks Jgor) and have been hooked ever since.

I've decided to get ready to start to think about to consider building a second machine which will be able to handle a 2-3 hp router and maybe even aluminum milling.

I recently acquired a Thomson Superslide ballscrew stage with 9" of travel, which I plan on using as my Z-axis. I have an option to purchase another superslide with a 30" travel. Do you think this would be substantial enough for a Y axis? I will try to post a pic as soon as I can figure out how, meanwhile a pic of the superslide can be seen in the gallery.

Also, the superslide I am looking at purchasing is $400 which is about the complete cost of my first router. Is this a reasonable price and Idea? or should I just hunker down and start building from scratch? Man - so many choices, so little time and money.

[senor J.]

my advice is if you have the option to buy a ready made y axis with 30" of travel for $400 buy buy buy. Figure it out ( I wish I had before I started mine) in the best of circumstances your gonna get two 32 Inch rails with blocks for around $175 $200 the ball screw will run you about $100 to $150 the aluminum will run you at least $100 more like 200 motor couplers $30 the list goes on. plus time

[senor J.]

the above are ebay prices of course. I spent many months watching auction and that is about the best you could hope to do ( and some would say Im being optomistic). do yourself a favor and get the ready made unit especially if you gonna make some money with it you'll thank yourself later.

[wbegg]

Thanks senor J. I believe I'll go for it. I can't believe the speed of my 9" superslide. Installed an 80 oz.-in. motor (I have bigger motors I'll use) and was maxed out at 240 IPM. A far cry better than my 40 IPM on my existing machine.

Ballscrew stage has 5 turns per inch, which is exactly what I was looking for. NOw I just need to figure out the X-axis. I was thinking about a moving table design, but not sure I want to sacrifice the shop space. I would like to have at least 36" of X travel.