Quote Originally Posted by Lloyd Barnes View Post
yep, couldn't agree more, do it right, do it once etc. I just wasn't sure whether switching from a direct drive to a belt drive inevitably introduced a hint more backlash regardless of how perfectly you tune the belt tension. Always faster/cheaper to learn from others mistakes etc. Should have the belt drive put together over the next few days so will be able to test backlash on all the axis.

As you say we're not working to nuclear standards. I'm generally machining car parts on the mills, and the tolerances don't need to be that high. Its just I'm tired of using the Bridgeport like an oversized etch a sketch to try to make curved parts!
I thought you were converting an AMAT25LV ?

My Bridgeport CNC conversion was the best thing i ever did, it makes it a much more useful machine. The backlash i do have comes mainly from the screw thrust bearings - in the end i bought new units here and it helped massively, not cheap though. The next is screw nut slop - I just fitted a standard Bridgeport conversion screw set from the USA, its good but not excellent. I have less than 0.1mm backlash in both axes and i don't think thats too bad for an old girl :)