Z-axis huge slack / beginning a conversion

[diy-john]

Thanks, like this advice, this is what I wanted to hear. For a while thought this is it, need another mill, but now there is some light.

Had another look at the mill today.

1) Z-axis (the original question)
- Do you think it might be best to fit the ball -screw as in picture?
-- (and yes make attachment -plate detachable from screw)
- Or perhaps try to hide the screw inside the "tower"?
- Or attachment to the quill ?


2) The Z-axis screw is possible to disable. (picture)
- perhaps one could leave it there, then?
- or would you take that out altogether?


3) Noticed, actually there is slack in X/Y -axes,too.
- So while we are at it, maybe retrofit ball screws, there too?
- How to choose correct ball-screws?
-- Length: existing screws + a bit more?
-- Diameter: similar to existing screws? (does it matter if they are not quite the same?)
-- Where to go from here? Take the table apart, to measure existing screw? Make a mockup / sketch?
- View from underneath of my mill (X/Y -table)


4) X/Y -table drawing / plan of parts to change?



Would appreciate any comments (no need to answer all questions). Sorry for a long post . Thanks!