Originally Posted by
AVRnj
I am pretty new to all the mechanical stuff as well. My X2 conversion was using a cncfusion kit, so I am coming from a similar place. For the most part, it seems to me that converting a mill whether it is a G0704 or a PM-30/BF30, RF45, X2,X3 etc. with dovetail ways for the most part is a very similar process. You are dealing with 3 axis, a base, a saddle a column and a table. The measurements vary, the shapes vary, and you have some choices you can make like ball screw type, single nut vs double nut, AC bearing type and size, etc, but I feel like there is a lot of similarities between the conversions when you really break it down.
I guess it ultimately comes down to how much you want to design your conversion vs. just do the conversion and your apatite for learning this stuff. For me, I wanted to learn all this stuff, and I was actually kind of let down after doing my X2 in that I just put the parts on the mill but did not really understand what was there or why it was there. But I can certainly understand the appeal to a G0704, following Hoss' DVD and spending more time using the mill than converting it as well.
I did order my ballscrews. I ordered 2005's for all 3 axis with a double nut for each. I wanted to go with a 2505 for the Z, but the double nut was not available so I opted for the 2005 with a single nut. I think this will be Ok since the PM-30 comes with a shock spring to help with the load of the head. Shipped to my house, X axis ground and I have the longer table so my x screw was very long, I was UNDER $250.
The bearings I will be using for all axis will be the 7202B from VXB, about $10 a piece and I need at least 7.
I have not figured aluminum costs yet, but I don't think it will be too bad.
Because I am going with the bigger ball screws for the X I wanted to use bigger bearings which will mean more parts I need to make for my mounts as I cannot use the x parts from my mill like Hoss does in the G0704, so that will add price as well.
I think if you have the motors and electronics, $500 seems very do-able, and by going with the 1605's on X at least you can save even more money and not have as many parts to build as well..
I don't think anything was over $100 lb.'s. The head was very heavy, the table was very heavy, and the column was very heavy, but I was able to move them all by myself and I am not overly strong, not weak either.