Z-axis huge slack / beginning a conversion

[diy-john]

Hello,

Please is it at all feasible to convert this sort of a machine to CNC:

- I bought this King Midas (TFY-515) mill a year ago, with some tools.
- It is a lovely machine, cuts nice and smooth

Machine looks like this (though this is not mine):
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...74179466IJBgoP

Problem is a huge slack in Z-axis.
- One can either use a knob, turning clockwise / anticlockwise (there is a lot of slack, when changing direction, eg. first move down, then move upwards, slack is in changing direction)
- OR: alternatively use a lever aside. There is not much slack there. (but movement of lever pulley is only some 1/3 of a full turn, so guess one could not attach a motor to it...)


Attached a couple of photos of my mill. (this is the one which is my own :) )


Please suggest, where can I go from here?
- Source another mill?
- something else ____ ?