Part I: X and Y axes

Although I had made some money during an internship, I didn't want to blow everything I earned on a CNC conversion or a new mill/router. I received the proxxon FF400 a few years back as a highschool graduation gift but given my inexperience at the time I had a lot to learn before I started using it properly. I still can't make very complex parts on this machine as it is operated manually.

Easiest things first, I started working on the X and Y axes as the Z axis is quite a lot more challenging. The modifications were made to be reversible in case one day I wanted to go back to manually operating the machine again... so I tried to keep the modifications to a minimum (also keeping costs down). On each axis 3 parts needed to be (re)made. A POM anti-backlash nut, an special aluminium coupling that would fit onto the old leadscrew and finally the stepper motor mounts. I got the 3x2 parts machined in China for less than 150 dollars (due to a lack of time, tooling and skill on my part) and again I have to say they were pretty well made.

The stepper motors I am going to use might be slightly too powerful but I'd rather have it that way than the opposite.