Hi Jazz,

Thanks for your advice with which I agree entirely. Surprisingly, I had considered all of what you said and would have done as you said anyway for I have been researching the subject for a couple of years. However, it would have been rich of me to come up with these points having not built my machine yet.

Design shortcomings aside, I still think Joe has done an excellent construction and finish job, and I look forward to seeing his MKII version if he gets round to it incorporating improvements to the shortcomings of his MKI.

One great idea you have given me Jazz is that of lifting the work up to the to the spindle to minimize Z axis flex. You see, I want a minimum net Z axis clearance of 150mm for when I get round to carving fuselage plugs out of MDF for 1/3 scale gliders, yet my machine needs to be relatively light and mobile for I have a very small workshop. Thanks to your idea I will now design in "mezzanine" sacrificial boards for metal work and anything that does not require the full Z axis depth. When I want to use a fourth axis or carve thick plugs out of MDF I can remove the mezzanine sacrificial board to enable the full Z axis.

Kind regards,

Kenneth