[Espeefan]

Wish I could help you answer that one, Lou, but I can't. I don't have a CNC set-up. Obviously, closed loop has feedback, which is a big plus, but isn't there software that can compensate for backlash, with open loop set-ups? I've done a little research on CNC conversions, for mini-mills, like mine, but never went much further. I heard such software existed.

As much as I like the Sherline mills, the one thing that swayed me to a Sieg mini mill clone (Little Machine Shop.com) was it's heft, mass, and larger table travel. You can never have to much machine. I gave up the CNC for a little more rigid, and larger mill, but I did install digital read-outs, which is very nice to have. Highly recommended for any milling machine.