Hi, thank you, that is a most informative post. I think however that you are missing the point. When I made the original post it was about a small general purpose machine to help some people (generally diyers) get into cnc machine building and cnc machining. Once started (and they still have to build the machine), learn how to operate it etc. some people may well progress to building bigger better more specialist machines. Everyone starts somewhere, and surely if we can ensure that they have the option to build something designed with the input from knowledgeable experts (who may themselves wasted hard earned cash on the way) that can only be good. Just from reading posts on this site many have bought inferior kits/machines. I wonder how many are out there that are unaware of this site, and have have an unfinished or unused machine simply because it does not "do what it says on the tin", and probably never will.

The idea of this project was certainly not intended to discourage people from designing and building their own purpose made made machine, indeed I believe this is the best way to go, however for those with perhaps a little less self confidence, building a good solid starter machine could be the start of something special. G.