Thanks for the help guys. FWIW, the machine is £5200+VAT which works out to be ~£6.2k

I'm definitely serious about buying a machine. I'm a CNC programmer/machinist by trade and I've lusted after my own router for a long long time. I did want to build my own but with my work load in and outside of work I simply don't have the time, hence wanting to buy.

JAZZYCNC, it's a shame you don't have time to build one for me as you obviously know your onions. I do know what it's like to be short on time though. I would however really appreciate your input on other machines if possible though, thank you.

George, thank you for your input too. I would love to see these other machines you have seen.

I would say I'm looking for a machine for hobby/business work. I do do a lot of manual work for people and I would love to start making a lot of things of things with a CNC. I can see myself putting a lot of hours/work into products and so I want a machine that can perform a fair few hours a week. To be honest, once I get one you would struggle getting me off it! I would like a decent machine that will last though, I realise I'm not going to be able to get an industrial spec machine for my money but I would hope to be able to get something fairly decent.

I would love a machine that could work with full 2440x1220 sheets but I'm going to have to settle for a smaller machine for now due to space. I don't want to go too small though and limit what I can make so ideally a ~1220x1220 window would be ideal for now.

Thanks again for the help.