Thanks for all thoughts

I'm beginning to think that if I was just cutting large blocks of foam or using as plasma i'd stick to a belt drive system because of the speed and accuracy. Not entirely sure why more people don't use belt. I'm guessing its just that its less well known as a tech and maybe is not so good over long distances.

However as I do wish to cut timber and make up a 3m x axis R&P and has history so is probably the way to go. How about helical rack/gears and probably 2.0 MOD with a gear ratio to suit?

What ratio required to suit high speed roughing cuts in polystyrene and and also give some repeat accuracy in timber is the next thing to sort out.