I have 1500 mm long Y axis on my build. I sourced 1/2 inch 5 start lead screws that move 1/2 inch per rotation from McMaster Carr. Of course, then you need new bearings and couplers. I have no whip that I notice. I did have to source different anti-backlash nuts (I made my own). They fit in the cbeam channel, but I ultimately did not use cbeam due to back-order issues at the time.

 

I have never oiled them. I use delrin anti-backlash nuts and have not noticed an issue.

 

I would first figure out what other parts you would need to change from belts to screws. I went with metric bearings because they were easier and cheaper to source, but that meant I had to have my 12.7 mm McMaster Carr lead screws turned down to 12 mm. Luckily for me, I had a friend that had a lathe and said he could do it. The best way to do this is to download the model in Sketchup (or whatever CAD software you prefer) and add the parts and modifications. I would think that it would be a simple modification to get new shaft couplers, bearings, and possibly enlarge the holes for the rods on the end plates. Search Amazon or McMaster Carr for pillow block bearings If you attach them on the outside of your plates like I did, you can apply a little tension on the screw which will aid in reducing whip. I used some similar to this. You must also remember that your holes may affect you plate mounting so they wold most likely have to have counter bored holes with the bearings attached first then the plates attached. That way the screw heads would be flush with the surface and not interfere with the plates attaching to the Cbeam.

The hard part is making the anti-backlash nuts to fit into the channel because you need to make (or purchase a tap). To make my nuts, I measured the distance from the inside edge of the gantry plate to get a feel for the maximum thickness the nut could be and I was able to make one fit. However, I lost those files due to a hard drive crash. I started my design by down loading and modifying the Openbuilds 8mm anti-backlash nut. This is a great exercise (if you are a beginner) in using CAD software. If all you want to do is carve 2.5 D objects (signs etc...) then I would just buy the kit as is and not worry about the screws. If you go the Sketchup route, you can print 1:1 templates you can affix to the plates which can be accurately used to drill your holes. I built my entire machine by hand cutting and drilling all my aluminum plates this way. I linked that build in my previous post.

Also, I would buy the kit. It would be so much easier than trying to buy all the components individually. Plus if for some reason the screws do not work out, you still can use the belts. Another easier option may be to do something similar to this: Project - Ox Upgrade Kit

 

I would assume it works fine. However, according to their drawings, it is 57.15 x 24 mm so it will not fit in the cbeam channel. There are also these if you choose an alternative mounting method. dumpsterCNC - anti-backlash solutions for home and industrial linear motion

 

If you have the time it would be greatly appreciated if you could post a writeup on these in the Projects section of the forum. I think a lot of members could draw inspiration from this.

 

Those nut blocks are the same ones I used. They fit fine.



I made a guide to drill mounting holes in the plates

 

No whip at all. So far I've only done the Y axis. Z will stay with the default 8mm. Really need to get the X axis done. Check out my build (starts half way down) for more info on what I used and how I lined everything up Shawn's Workbee 1510

 

I think I need to change the build from in progress to finished in order for it to show up.

Screws are slower than belts. With high torque motors, 48v power supply and DQ542MA drivers I could rapid at 7000mm/min. Then OB sent me a Blackbox to try out so I had to switch to a 24v power supply which meant I had to reduce my rapids to 5000mm/min.

My doc/woc/feedrate while cutting wont mean much since I still have a belt on X. To me, what really made a difference is linear rails vs the wheels.

 

Yes, for some reason it doesn't show up on her profile page but it's easily reached just by clicking on the 1 next to builds in the box that pops up when you click her avatar.