[melchers]

Hi guys
Where can I source lead screws local without paying an arm and a leg!

Thanks

[drieslaas]

You probably know this, but for what it is worth you can buy ACME leadscrews for lower accuracy work from Screwman.
If your query is regarding rolled or ground "proper" leadscrews, good luck and please let me know as well if you find.

There are lots on Ebay, but I have no experience actually getting something via Ebay.

[drieslaas]

M10 x 3 is R121 per metre, nut is R95 ea from Screwman.

It is the only thread to use. The trapezoidal shape is designed to transfer load.
A normal threaded rod will work for a limited time, and strip when you need it least. It is designed to fasten two plates together typically, not to transfer axial load.
So there is the answer: it is much superior to use an ACME thread, much faster because of the pitch, definitely worth the effort.

[megeshg]

here you go...

link

[DNSmith]

I got all my stuff from CNC Direct

[MariusL]

Dion
I think the Screwman stuff is only 1m lengths. I designed a MDF router that makes use of alternative methods because I could not get longer acme screws.

[DNSmith]

This is what I paid from CNC direct
16x5 R760 p/m
12x4 R615 p/m

[MariusL]

That sounds about right. The CNC direct products are high quality ball screws. The Screwman stuff is very raw acme screws. Not comparable products in any way.

[DNSmith]

That sounds about right. The CNC direct products are high quality ball screws. The Screwman stuff is very raw acme screws. Not comparable products in any way.

Marius where are you located.

[MariusL]

Dion
I work from home. I am on the western side of Centurion.

[pietste]

That sounds about right. The CNC direct products are high quality ball screws. The Screwman stuff is very raw acme screws. Not comparable products in any way.

You are right. I bought the acme 14mm rod from screwman 2 days ago, and they are very raw. I had to use sandpaper to get them running smoothly.
They only come in 1 meter lengths and cost R608 a meter and the nut is R250 each. Luckily they give 50% discount on that prices

[pietste]

M10 x 3 is R121 per metre, nut is R95 ea from Screwman.

It is the only thread to use. The trapezoidal shape is designed to transfer load.
A normal threaded rod will work for a limited time, and strip when you need it least. It is designed to fasten two plates together typically, not to transfer axial load.
So there is the answer: it is much superior to use an ACME thread, much faster because of the pitch, definitely worth the effort.

Hi Drieslaas

I used the normal threaded 12mm rod and it only lasted a month. You are right about the cross thread. Mine dropped me on Sunday and I had go and buy the acme rod at Screw man. They are a bit ruff and expensive , but let see how log will the hold.

[DNSmith]

I am sure that the acme tread will work just fine but the proper ball screw is not that much more. The ball screw nut is expensive and that is normally the deal breaker. The thing is that if you use ball screw and zero back lash nut you don't have to to any thing to make it work super smooth. The ball screw is a rolled thread and the surface is super hard and smooth. The acme thread is a cut thread and only as hard as the metal that it is cut from, normally mild steel or EN19 at the best. So it make sense to pay the extra for the ball screw and nut.

[pietste]

I am sure that the acme tread will work just fine but the proper ball screw is not that much more. The ball screw nut is expensive and that is normally the deal breaker. The thing is that if you use ball screw and zero back lash nut you don't have to to any thing to make it work super smooth. The ball screw is a rolled thread and the surface is super hard and smooth. The acme thread is a cut thread and only as hard as the metal that it is cut from, normally mild steel or EN19 at the best. So it make sense to pay the extra for the ball screw and nut.

Yip you are right again, but I have build my CNC Router frame out of wood and don`t want to spend to much on this machine, as it is my intro machine into the world of CNC. I will build a better one later on out of alluminium or something as soon as I have learned everything I wanted to learn about CNC routing. For now it is only a old man`s hobby.:cheers: