Hi John, thanks for your reply and for the welcome.

Yes, hopefully I should be able to get some parts machined at work. Currently we get a fair bit of time to do 'home orders' but in about a year we are moving to a new site where I think personal jobs will not be a possibility. With that in mind I would like to get something designed over the next 6 months or so and get what parts I can made whilst I can.

That sounds great about the combined router/laser. I was hoping to get a positive answer about that.

Do you have a link to the A3 laser project you were talking about or are outside links not allowed?

Also, from a beginners point of view would you recommend reading any particular tutorials, guides etc on the internet or are there any books worth investing in?

Thanks again for your help.