Yesterday I ordered and received a set of the Fignoggle plans for conversion of and X2 to CNC.
I have been going back and forth over the question of keeping my X2 as it is (with DRO installed) and buying a small CNC machine (likely Taig) for the application that I have in mind or converting the X2.
I have a lot invested in tooling for the X2 but was (a) unwilling to lose the manual mode and (b) need more spindle speed for small cutters.
The Fignoggle design which retains manual operation and the availability of a HS spindle attachment from LMS seemed worth investigation.
I have gone over the plans several times and all of the operations, except for machining the end of the ball screw for the Z axis are well within my current abilities and tools (my lathe is too small for the ball screw operation) but I assume that I can farm that out.
A couple of observations and questions - all related to the Z axis -
The conversion mounts the Z axis ball nut at the top of the column and drives the screw via a stepper attached to the spindle head so that, in the fully raised position, there is a length of unsupported ball screw sticking up in the air above the mill.
The stepper motor, bracket, drive and ball screw fixing are all attached to the head, adding to the already not insignificant weight and the spring counterbalance has been removed - problem?
I use the X2 as a drill press for small drills - # 60 and sometimes smaller - it is hardly a "sensitive" drill press but with experience and a light touch, I find it works well and the use of the XY positioning to line up the drill with a mark is useful. Obviously, the need to drive the ball screw and motor will add to the load and reduce the sensitivity - but how much?
Any comments or observations will be very welcome.
EM