I'm interested in this as an idea. I'm still refining my first mdf machine to get it to a point that I'm happy to start playing with it to cut 'proper' projects on. I can already see that I would like to use this one to build another machine in the future.

I think an important point here has to be that it uses easily available materials that are still cheap, without using any complex construction processes - I'm sure that epoxy granite is great...not sure how many people would actually make that though.

I think that a combination of mdf & aluminium angle/box/U-channel can be assembled as an I-beam structure that would create a suitably strong & rigid framework.

I also think that it is a good idea to have a ballpark materials costing in mind - £200-250 is a good figure I think. The cutting area, I feel should be no smaller than 2'x4' - & it would possibly be a good idea to make it scalable/adjustable to a point to suit different people.

I'll be watching this thread to see where it goes...