Turning a Cheap Mini Mill into a Capable CNC Machine

I've been thinking about converting the Craftex/X2 mini mill I got a few months back into a DIY CNC mill on and off for the last little while. I was looking into getting a DRO for the mill when I finally decided to commit to the project and get designing. Hope you enjoy!
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[@instanoodles]

As a retired machinist your videos are driving me towards picking up a mini lathe and mill. They are far more capable than I was expecting, thanks! With some carbine tooling you probably could have gotten away with milling the flange, just lots of fairly light cuts.

[@Someone_Should_Make_That]

I’ve so far been very impressed with the quality of work they can produce! Good call on the carbide tooling, I should pick some up and test out how far I can push the mill

[@noanyobiseniss7462]

I didn't see end stops, nice job.

[@_krazy_198]

Make sure you ground everything. Shielded wiring would be best but for home, not to much issue. Without everything being grounded any thing that leaks could find it way to signal wires and make the steppers move in strange random ways.

[@HavenInTheWood]

Impressive video! Since buying my mini mill, I have watched numerous videos like this, but this video is the most impressive CNC upgrade for the mini mill!

[@Someone_Should_Make_That]

Really appreciate that! Thank you!

[@koomber777]

Building a telescope mount the now using harmonic motors and as soon as I saw the couplings I thought "oooh. That's not going to help his backlash" Nice build. Glad the algo recommended it to me. Surprising amount of comonality between a CNC machine and a telescope mount

[@Someone_Should_Make_That]

Thank you! That’s quite interesting, I wouldn’t have thought of the overlap initially but it does make sense. Chasing precision movement control is a sport all on its own regardless of where it’s applied haha

[@djl9731]

Thank God for The Algorithm! Awesome work. Wish I could do it....

[@sacriptex5870]

Heroic work dude!! amazing to watch

[@matthewdodds8521]

Great video. Really nice work.

[@slay3r1452]

Great Video!

[@taranson3057]

If you were using Mach3/Mach4 that software has backlash compensation capabilities. A better solution for addressing the backlash would be to use higher-grade ball screws with or without backlash adjustment features. I am surprised that you didn't use the type of ball nuts that would screw into the mount, they don't have a massive flange on them just a threaded end. Great build nonetheless. I really need to convert my LMS3990 to CNC and use 1000 oz/in closed-loop servos.

[@Someone_Should_Make_That]

Truthfully I didn’t know there was a different style of ball nuts I could be using, appreciate the tip! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@partyalldaypartyallnight1057]

backlash compensation and you're good. Next upgrade should be a belt drive so you can giddy up on your rpms.

[@Someone_Should_Make_That]

Definitely. I think a belt drive and a brushless motor would be a great addition

[@gazehound]

Did I just stumble across 600 view gold? This feels like a privilege

[@noanyobiseniss7462]

If you don't put a counter weight on your X-axis then you will wear out the ways.