Planning and getting things together

[bobhome]

After much to-ing and fro-ing I've decided to build my own router having been inspired by reading this and other great CNC forums.
The plan is to build a machine big enough to hold an 8 x 4 sheet.
I plan on cutting nothing harder than timber/mdf and the router will be used at home in my 16ft x 20ft garage which is detached from my house.
Tools I currently have:
1. Evolution Rage 2 chop saw
2. Pillar Drill
3. Bench Grinder
4. Homemade powered hacksaw
5. Angle Grinder
6. Various metalwork hand tools
7. Arc and a Mig Welder
and a whole heap of wood working tools including a fret saw and table saw.


The base will be constructed from steel and be welded. The plan is to make the base no bigger than the width of a door opening. So the height of the base would be no greater than about 780mm. I don't need a lot of Z movement - max about 4 inches. 80mm x 80mm box section appears to be ample frame size.


At the planning stage I have decided upon 1 of 2 designs for the base.
Design 1 - I believe this is some chap on this forum



Design 2 - Has detachable top rails. Mine would not have such a Z axis movement and be a lot lower. I may extend the rails at one end thanks to JAZZCNC for this idea.




Design 2 is my favourite at the moment. Taking into account the length of my machine I would probably need 4 vertical supports instead of 3.
I would be interested to hear thoughts from others on this.
Thanks
Bob