I got my first CNC Machine!

[Tenson]

Can you guys see my post? I was obviously posting okay but then it said I need my post approved by a mod?

Hmm seems okay again :)

So I'll probably put the lathe idea to the side for now, but it does seem like attaching a more meaty motor and chuck to the spindle bracket and then having a fixed tool clamped to the table will work best.


Now, the weakest part of this CNC machine seems to be the plastic (I don't know what it's called?) that links the trapezoidal rod to the moving arm/spindle. Everything in this machine is nice strong metal except this nylon part.

Is it worth changing them for metal ones or does it need to be nylon for low friction on the rod?

Alternatively I've seen ball-screw rods and ball-nuts for sale and I consider upgrading with these. What makes ball-screw better than the more normal screw thread I already have?

You can see the plastic bit in my picture here.




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Oh! Also I tried changing the setting on the control board from the default 75% current to 100% and it makes the motor jerk. Why would this be? 50% also makes it jerk. Best settings seem to be 75% current with 1/2 micro-step.