By gholbrook on 1/6/2010 10:22 PM

After a couple month hiatus, I’ve finally returned to working on my mill.  About two months ago I tested the backlash and was sorely disappointed.  Both X and Y axes were in relatively poor shape.  I got back in touch with the company that I ordered the original parts from and ordered extra ball nuts for the X and Z axes and oversized balls for the Y axis.  Along with the balls and nuts, I also ordered HeliCal couplers (zero backlash) and new, higher quality thrust bearings.

So, I got started the other night.  Yet again, I found myself carefully repacking ball bearings one at a time.  There were actually extra balls in the kit, which is good, since I have a demonstrated ability at losing balls.  When I started packing the balls I actually said to myself “I should do this sitting at a table, with my magnetic bowl.”  Of course, that isn’t what I did.  And I lost a ball as a result.



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