Right. So we decided on the aluminium sheet with a matrix of holes in the end. After looking at parts we are likely to produce chances are we too will be using spoil board 75% of the time. So that's turning up next week. Went for 20mm thick sheet.

So all I really need to sort now before the machine can start properly cutting is the water cooling. Any suggestions on a water pump? I've found a bunch on eBay but some seem too low powered 5w solar type and others seem too high pressure ? 80psi or there abouts. Any pointers to specific pumps used recently the older posts links are now dead.

Finally. Cutters.

What's a good cutter to start with using in aluminium on a 3kw spindle? Single flute? Just want something to experiment with really

And as far as machining hardwoods I have a bunch of high quality router cutters would these be best for this application?