Lapping the ways

While I have the X-axis and saddle on the workbench, I decided to lap the ways. The Y will require removing the column (which means taking the head off again!). Bob Warfield did an extensive write-up of this procedure and I am essentially following him here, although with slightly different materials. Unfortunately, since he wrote his article, IH seems to have changed hands and the information on the subject is no longer on their web site. Bob's guide here:

http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCMillCNCConversionHome.html

IH recommendation for how much:

Grit        Strokes
80           20 - 30
120         40 - 50
220         40 - 50
320         40 - 50
500         40 - 50

Start without the gibs and re-install from the 220 onward.

I found an alternative product called TimeSaver Hard Metal Lapping Compound, which unlike the (more commonly used?) alumina grit, wont embed itself into the metal and degrades over time, so even any remnants in difficult to clean corners that make their way between the bearing surfaces wont continue to abrade them.

http://www.newmantools.ca/lapping/time.htm

Before:

And after:

Y and Z still to do, but I couldn't resist putting everything together first to see how the X&Y respond under power and perhaps to make some first chips.