Servos/stepper motors.

[Carpenter84]

I saw one a while ago for $4000 but it was a basket case job...
I also saw a Trak mill with a Proto system on it a while ago too which would have been sweet, but the guy wanted $25,000...

[Carpenter84]

If I went with ball screws, I would be concerned about “creeping” under cuts/pressure. Yes, you could clamp the table, I guess. But that would not make me go with the ball screw idea just because of the less friction and no backlash.

Don't the steppers have a holding torque?

[chips and more]

You can short out two of the wires(can’t remember which ones???) on a stepper and you can not turn the shaft!!!! No power needed! It’s a good trick to test a stepper when at the surplus store

[jpigg55]

Jimmy, I'm happy to be drug down the rabbit hole. I'm learning (slowly).
I highly doubt I would change the lead screw pitch if I upgrade - the graduated dials would no longer work, for instance.

That's true and would be of concern if you used the dials. I assumed you installed a DRO and didn't use dials anymore.
Technically, if you went from a 5 tpi pitch to a 10 tpi pitch, you could still use the dials, just half to remember that it's only moving half the distance.