Was about to get a toy- then I did some research...

[Juranovich]

Anyone who's built a machine and worried about these kinds of things will tell you that it was a pointless exercise and it's the smaller details that make a bigger difference to how the machine performs. Details like sturdy ball-nut brackets and adjustability, motor mounts, wire routing, Limit SW placement, access to grease nipples and lubing, etc, etc.
If you build a Sturdy structure and pay attention to key areas like Z-axis then you won't go wrong or notice if COG is off a little, but you will notice if the little details are missed.

That's the paradox I guess! I keep reading all the theory but as I haven't done this sort of a project before it's hard to tell what's essential and what's not. And as you rightly point out, doing the details/assembly properly will matter quite a bit for the end result (as it would for any project really), maybe even more than getting all the theory right ;)

[JAZZCNC]

That's the paradox I guess! I keep reading all the theory but as I haven't done this sort of a project before it's hard to tell what's essential and what's not. And as you rightly point out, doing the details/assembly properly will matter quite a bit for the end result (as it would for any project really), maybe even more than getting all the theory right ;)

Yes, Theory is great. However at the DIY level theory and reality often part company early on in the build process at which point reality often comes back and smacks you fully in the face.
I find if you have patience use Common sense along with doing the Duediligence like what you are doing now. Then provided you choose the right design for your needs and take care when building it that you will always end up with a machine to be proud of that won't disappoint.

Keep asking the questions like what you are doing and it will eventually make more sense, it won't make complete sense until you started the build, which at some point you will say "Aghh I get what Boyan was saying now." .!!