Thanks Irving thats what I meant but I pharsed the question wrong. I seem to have a problem getting the thoughts in my head to paper lol

is that 20N a worst case or would it be better to up it a little? Have you got any info for other materials or a table maybe?

I'm starting to see what you mean, this aint going to easy........efficient design isnt easy to build and requires good machining, sounds like the chicken and egg situation I'm in at the moment :heehee:

With regard to the design is space an Issue? ie. overall size. Because I cant help but think that this needs to be a fixed gantry design. The frame could then be as heavy as required and just move the table underneath. This would mean its twice as long tho.

Kip always said "router for routing and a Mill for Milling" or something along those lines.