[RX-Heven]

Since I have my mill all torn apart for Hoss's v-belt pulley conversion, MAD drawabar etc., I am wondering if converting the screws to some nice ball screw units would be a nice upgrade too. I plan on manual operation for the foreseeable future but may eventually upgrade to cnc, but no plans as of yet. I may just end up adding a power feeder instead.

In any case, would upgrading to ballscrews for manual operation be possible and if so, is it even worthwhile? I'd love to eliminate the slop out of the handwheels and make them easier/smoother to operate.

[dsdmax]

are for use with motors only - due to their low rotational friction they will not hold position. it is actually the motors that keep the axis from moving when the motor is not turning. so unless you want your head to crash into the table every time you release the gib locks stick with the acme screws for manual work.

[hoss2006]

Well, one, the Y axis is left hand threads so using the typical right hand ballscrew
would move opposite.
Two, ballscrews would move .200 per turn of the crank vs .100.
Three, because they'd turn much easier, ballscews would let the cutter be pulled
into the part particularly during a climb cut.
Snugging the locks could lessen the chance but then you're back to the same resistance
as the leadscrews.
Hoss

[RX-Heven]

Thanks for the clarification.