Quote Originally Posted by brman View Post
So, am I being silly? ;)
In a Nutshell Yes.!

There is no way you can build a machine that can cut aluminum and brass to any reasonable degree from wood and with only a £500 budget.

I said this to someone else recently also. The plywood alone will cost you more than steel, The only place for MDF in CNC for lighting fires to keep shop warm and using as a spoil board. Don't do it.!