After successfully milling and engraving some parts that've been waiting for ever, finding the torque limits of the motor and doing some aluminium friction welding at the same time.
I finally cleaned the rest of the packing grease/wax off the machine (with embedded swarf) and installed the channel brace I showed in solidworks back in post #163.
I didn't measure the deflection before, but now with the brace applying approx 50kg of downward force on the front of the head produces ~0.1mm of deflection.
I had some issues tramming it, the closest I could get was 0.06mm out in one diagonal of about 100mm. How close do you guys get to flat?
My paint wasn't a bad match either.
To the left of the column you'll see my bike-tube ball screw cover.