[QUOTE=Kickstart;35335]blackburn mark, I can't ever seeing me wanting to cut anything other that foam, maybe some 2mm ply, QUOTE]

im assuming it would make sense to run your axis on toothed belts(light weight fast moving gantry) if you intend using a laser (no cutting force/resonance)
that should keep the price down on the mechanics (no ballscrews to pay for)

i know nowt about lasers, i think john s has a 40w laser, he'll be your man for that side of things :)