Quote Originally Posted by hardenum View Post
It's a gantry style with a lifting z axis, no way to do belt drive the traditional way.



There are dedicated direct drive cartridges that have a hydraulic thing that moves the drawbar like these:
https://sc02.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1l9RHX...XXaC.jpg_.webp

The thought of modifying a $500 belt drive cartridge into a direct drive with a hydraulic drawbar fills me with excitement.
I don't understand why you cant have a belt driven spindle. Just put the motor beside or in front of the spindle instead of behind.

I'm not saying direct drive is a bad idea. I just suspect it will be difficult dealing with drawbar issues etc