Question for those with more experience building machines. Been stripping the machine down so I could refurbish the frame which has a lot of dried cutting fluid/swarf stuck to it which I will clean off & probably then repaint the frame.
The frame is a steel construction & very heavy & the gantry seems to be very solid as well but the x & Y axis run on what I am guessing is 1/2" linear rail, not measured it but it's an old American build machine which is why I say 1/2" rather than 12mm. The Z axis runs on smaller unsupported rails. The rails & bearing blocks all seem to be in good condition still despite the machines age.
Question really is what sort of advantage would there be in replacing these with a larger size rail, profile rail is out of my price range so not an option & from what I can see at the moment it wouldn't be to easy to change the rails although obviously not impossible.
The Z axis I know I will need to do something about & looking at ways to build a new Z axis at the moment.