Sorry to jump in on this thread ....
1st a hello from Aberystwyth on Mid Wales coast from a complete newby novice.
I'm totally new and looking for help and ideas the questions and answers are very interesting, good luck with your build I'll be closely following it.
Is there anyone near Aberystwyth that has a machine I could come and see to chat and hopefully learn? Ultimately I'm after building / buying / owning a machine that will handle 8' X 4' sheets bit as I say I'm 100% totally new and all this is foreign to me ......but I am a fully qualified carpenter with nearly 40years experience and have many other mechanical skills and understanding... hopefully will gain a lot from this forum
Steve