The SX2 from Arc looks quite nice. It has a better table than the standard X2, basically the same as they supply on their version of the X1. You can also get it with an R8 spindle, R8 collets are economical, grip very well, and don't incur the overhang of an ER type collet chuck. And they don't get stuck! I think quite a few people have done CNC conversions of this class of mill including fitting ball screws. Another point about CNC is that since you don't have to stand around twiddling feed screws, the computer can take multiple smaller cuts so machine rigidity isn't maybe quite so important.

I started off a conversion of an X1 with this table, in the end the Novamill came up so I sold the X1 to a friend in manual version. It was clear that one could fit ballscrews, but you need to design the bits carefully so you can make them on the manual mill then just fit them whilst it's in bits. Also be prepared to at least fettle and possibly replace the gib strips, I made new ones from brass.


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