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Y Axis Conversion Notes

The above picture is my attempt to use my CNC X3 with a 3/4 inch 4" long end mill to mill the back side of the RF45 base flat in order to mount the Y motor to the back of the mill. Most of the conversions that I have seen mount the Y motor to the front. To me, that will always be in the way when setting up work on the table. I want the conversion to be as compact as possible. This process of cutting the back flat was a big SLOW job on the little X3. So I gave up and brought the base into work where the guys cut it flat on a large Monarch VMC.
This picture shows the back side of the base after it was machined flat
Here is the Y Axis bearing plate, also made from 1" aluminum plate. These bearing plates hold two angular contact bearings and are retained by the round plate plate with the 6 5mm socket head cap screws.
Y Motor mount being machined



Here is the back side of the casting where the Y bearing plate mounts. After machining the back the lower 1/2 inch is only .150 thick, but then it steps up to about 1/2" thick cast iron. Plenty of beef, especially with the large surface area bearing plate. It's rock solid!
Here is the front end of the Y screw to give you an idea to where it is in relation to the original screw hole.
Y Axis Pre-Assembly

This shows the ball nut mount fastened to the cross slide (Y). I milled a nice 2.5 X 2.5 pocket for the mount to sit in. I didn't really need to do this, but this allows me to use a larger foot print for the ball nut mount. Just trying to make it as rigid as I can. The machined surface from the original screw nut was a little narrow