I think I found the problem. I originally bought my steppers for a home made machine. they worked great on that machine but the construction job I did On the machine didn't work well. So I bought the X2 mill from harbor freight and a conversion kit. The stepper just isn't strong enough to lift that 35 pound head. I took the stepper off and it worked great. I put it back on same problem. So With my free arm I gave it a helping hand and it went up great every time. So how strong of nema 23 stepper do I need to lift that head. I thought of a counter weight system but the X wife got most of the tools in the divorce except the mill so I have nothing left to build one with. I would rather just buy a stronger stepper motor. theses by the way are KL23H284-35-4BR (1/4” Dual shaft with a flat) 355 oz-in would a NEMA 23 Stepper Motor: KL23H2100-30-4BM (1/4” Dual shaft with a flat) 495 oz-in work. The main thing I will be cutting is aluminum and synthetic rifle stocks. Or will I need stronger then that say something like a 570 oz-in? witch I don't want to go up to because of cost and I would have to get a new lovejoy coupler.