[ref772]

I started to make the thrust bearing mod to my ver.1 machine but decided I did not want to loose any more Z travel. I came up with a way to install a thrust bearing and gain about 1/2" Z travel at the same time. It consists of a bearing mount, a couple of spacers, a set collar, and 2 radial thrust bearings that I got from Grainger's. The upper bearing sits down in an enclosed recess where it is not open to any dust. The only negative is that you need a lathe to cut the cavity in the mount for the bearing and the recess on the spacer for the little lip on the motor. But most guys with a CNC machine either have a lathe or know a buddy that has one. I used 3/4" aluminum for the parts. Since the motor was raised up about an inch, I had to use some all thread for the bolts. I have not used it much since the modification, but so far it's working fine.

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[vtxstar]

A good innovative approach. Well done.
My build is at the 2.0 stage, have the 2.1 updates, and now a second choice -- and I also have a lathe.

Any landing you can walk away from is a good one.

-=Doug