Thanks for the comments. I definitely agree that this is a mechanical issue, and someone who's passion is perfecting a milling machine might be able to make it work with the smallest steppers made. At the moment, I'm trying to make the hobby the stuff I can make, and not making the machine work :-)
I have adjusted the gibbs from too loose, to too tight, and everywhere in between without making any improvement in the original problem. Note that the finger tip pressure I referred to is lifting up on the heavy end of the table to remove a bit of off balanced weight. There is no physical movement, just some pressure on the bottom.
BTW, I did try the lower kernel freq today, and that didn't make any change.
The motor controllers are supposed to be rated for 5.6A peak, 4.0A RMS, and that's what they're set for.
This does bring up a question about the power supply. I'm using the switching supply that came with the package, which is rated at 48V 12.5A, and it's the typical generic box with no actual markings. I know these are not the preferred type of supplies, so that may be working against me. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure why I didn't question this previously, seeing as I have 4 controllers (one not connected to a motor), which appear to add up to well over the capacity of the supply. I probably didn't question this because it came in a package with 3 motors and 3 controllers. Could it be that simple? I would think the actual current when moving is much lower than the stationary holding current (which is reduced by the software also). I suppose I could easily unplug 3 of the controller and just run X to see if that allows it to work.
https://www.automationtechnologiesin...or-3-axis-kit/
Thanks,
Rusty