How critical is x axis (gantry) stiffening?

I’m only a few days ahead of you. Used the stiffening mod below.

Got 3/16" X 2" Steel and furniture bolts at Lowes. Have seen both in other H/W stores like Ace Hardware. Can’t tell you anything quantitative about the effectiveness of the mod other than it seemed to work. Would probably be a pain without a drill press though.