I hope to have them ready in about 3 weeks.
All the design work is finished, I am currently trying to find ways to lower the cost, and have a ballscrew upgrade available. The basic kit will include a Thomson ballscrew for the Z-axis and use the stock screws for the table. Thrust bearings on the X&Y&Z-axis. You will be able to upgrade to ballscrews either when you place an order, or at a later time. The ballscrews make up the majority of the kits cost, I spend about $50 per ballscrew, and that’s without any machine work done to the ends.
The Z-axis portion of the kit will also be available by itself for guys who want to make their own X-Y motor mounts. I guess I can make an X-Y only kit too.
I would also like to offer a much less expensive, do-it-yourself kit that contains all the un-machined aluminum, bearings, couplings etc. you need, and blueprints, instructions & tool list, possibly even G-code. Basically, you would do all the machining yourself. For those with a lathe, you could buy your own ballscrews, and machine the ends per print to save even more. You could also buy machined ballscrews from homeshopcnc.com for a good price. If anyone would be interested in a do-it-yourself kit like that, please let me know.
As far as pricing, I REALLY hope I can offer the basic kit for $349 or less. Thats with the Thomson ballscrew for the Z.
The Z-axis only kit, should be under $200
A do it yourself kit, with one ballscrew for the Z-axis, I would guess to be about $150-$170
So far, the only modification to the mill is two "optional" 1/4" holes in the column to help lock down the Z-axis thrust bearing block. They would be just above, and to either side of the hole for the plastic stop that keeps you from raising the spindle head too far.
Mike
www.cncfusion.com CNC kits for Sieg mills and lathes