My impatience is getting the better of me so I started converting my G0704. I would have liked to have bought one of Ellik's kits but I just can't swing the cost so I am just doing it cheaply for now - As cheaply as I can anyway. I am going to re-use all of the existing thrust bearings, screws,etc. Later on I will replace all of the bearings and then maybe switch to ballscrews.
So far, I have the X,Y, and Z stepper brackets made. Nothing real unique - because of my frugality, I am going with a front mounted stepper. I will just have to live with it and hopefully I don't drop a vise on it.
The Z axis is nothing more than a stepper mount. I am leaving the column cap and its thrust bearing just as it is.
Am I going to regret using the stock screws and bearings? I am just trying to spread out the cost a little - even once its CNC ready, you still need the electronics, the PC, and I will need to make some sort of enclosure and bench. I can scrounge up an old PC and I already have a couple spare 425 Oz Nema23s. I also already have licenses for Dolphin, Mach3, etc. I am guessing that not going to ballscrews and bearings would probably save me upwards of $300.
When I converted the X2 I went right to ballscrews. I would imagine the stock screws would be quite a bit slower.