Ok, here's the initial budget for a 1250x2500 bed, gantry router. I would be interested in lumping all the rails, screws and spindle together in one China order, with someone like solar jean. Sorry, still not sure where to put this on here - it's not a build thread, nor design - it just gives an idea of the big spend points and the overall project delivery philosophy. What I'm interested in is where it's right/wrong, needs adjusting...? I'm hoping this is a mid-term realisation and not hypothetical, but I figure the order of things is fix design/spec first, then purchase the big lumps all together, and weld together frame and get parts made and assemble near the end, when all components have arrived and any dimensional differences can be accounted for without waste/rework. Bearing in mind it's early days on design / spec., and spec relates to cost, I've tried my best to write something down, ...this is mainly a budgeting exercise.

X; 2 pairs of: screws (25 dia. - non rotating) + end housings & nuts; rails + brgs (hiwin profile 20mm)£1200
Y; 20mm dia rotating screw + end brgs & nut, pair of rails + brgs (hiwin profile 20mm) £450
Z; 16mm rotating screw + end brgs & nut, pair of rails + brgs (hiwin profile 20mm) £250
2.2kW spindle + vfd + collet/s £250
4 (Nema 23) motors + leadshine drivers (UK supply) £600 Control panel + cabling + energy chain £250
Software £200
Steel + weld consumables £350
Fasteners £100
Other tools; epoxy, taps, straight edge, square, spirit level £200
Bespoke machined parts/assy's: motor mounts, Z plates, rotating ballnuts, pulleys & belts £500

total: £4,350