Where did you buy your threaded rod?(cheapo leadscrew!) - was it straight?

[HankMcSpank]

Hmmm seems a reasonable price

On the face of it yes, but then dig deeper. It works out at £1.98 per 100mm delivered

I'd need at least 1m (this would be for all 3 planes in total)

So £20 vs £4 for a 1m length of M8 rod from my local fixings merchant

But wait that's not the end of it.

I can make delrin nuts myself (about a quid each, therefore £3 in total)...I don't want to imagine how much the nuts are going to be for that rod.

then you'd likely have to get the rod machined to fit with your couplers. Then you'll likely need custom rod mounts (ouch)

I reckon you're looking at the guts of £200 ...vs £20 for the cheap ' dirty M8 threaded rod route!

Horses for courses, but I'd imagine most new to CNCs wouldn't want to spend that type of money on a hobby that might not even have longevity of interest!

[John S]

Hank,
Ask you local nut and bolt / fixing man if they stock trapezoidal, ours do, never bought small only 16mm and I can't remember how much it was, they also have like a barrel but to suit.

I accept you will have to get some machining done but this post is also a heads up for other people,

If I have a length left I'll get a pic later, still after that bloody cat..........