marker pen driven over an 8x4 sheet help.

[blackburn mark]

that sounds like a lot of work just to get markings for you to follow with a jigsaw..... it "MIGHT" be only a little bit more heart ache and pain to build a lightweight router to do the cutting for you that will at the very least be as acuraite as following lines with a saw... (a cnc router is really only a plotter with a bit of backbone)

if your only ever going to cut woods with a max thickness of say 2" it needent be a heavy monster of a machine and mounting it verticaly should still be an option.

plenty of people build usable cnc machines with less experience than it sounds like you have.... with a lots patience and the guys on this forum you should be able to get there

ps: we were or are all novices at building cnc's so dont be thinking your going to get a roasting for asking daft questions

Can i make this happen on a shoestring?

that really depends an what "you" mean by "shoesting"
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNC-Kit-3-...item2a14d75139

£180 driver steppers and power supply.... it wont be fast but it should get you there

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-linear-r...item3a53ea7f05

this is a tipical kit from linearmotionbearings2008 on ebay.... there are other options but lots of us have splashed a little exta cash and bought from this guy (you need to do some research to find a price for the sizes that you are after) however, considering that you where happy to follow lines with a jigsaw you may be able to find a much cheaper option for screws and rails that would match your jigsaw skills for acuracy :)

now you need to have a look at frame options.... aluminium extrusion, easy to use and a bit pricy.... steel box section needs welding

do you have access to a lath and welder ?

do a bit of research and get some drawings up so we can pull them apart and you should soon start getting a feel for how much blood sweat time and cash its going to take