For those of you who experienced badly cut parts, that flaw seems to continue unabated with the ACM components. I had problems with both the base plate and some of the bolt holes being drilled either too deeply and bottoming out (for example, on the linear bearing slide, requiring me to buy washers) or not deeply enough, requiring new screws.
I have not checked the Z axis rod and screw alignment, but it's astonishing to me that this issue hasn't been fixed in all this time, nor time take to QC parts.
There's an old saying: "It takes less time to do a thing right once, than to explain why it wasn't done right in the first place." I don't accept the excuses and insulting suggestion that because it's a kit we should content ourselves with substandard parts. Nor do I find "busy" to be an adequate or professional reason. If it happens to be that John has so much to take care of that he doesn't have time to tend to his FT customers, chances are he won't have any left because we'll be too busy giving our money to other suppliers until he figures it out.
Anyway, my kit was ordered right after Thanksgiving, so this issue should have been resolved long ago. The product has great potential, but suffers from a shameless and inexcusable lack of QC, and I've already discussed my experience with two friends who are likely shopping for other products right now.
Rant over.