Ok fella's, I've spent the best part of a month working my way around various websites and blogs with the 'dream' that one day i could build my own CNC router, but here is the catch.
A year ago i started out as a freelance Industrial Designer, things have been going well but its still early days so my investment in personal projects must be wise.
I've got a few idea's of items to manufacture and sell to help offset the outlay of building of the machine, but these would only come in time..
The main materials i would be interested in machining would be Model makers Styrofoam (75mm), MDF (75mm), Plywood (75mm), Aluminum sheet (3mm), Carbon fibre (3mm).
So the question is what stepper motors, Stepper drivers, and spindle would best suit my needs to drive a machine bed size of A2 sheet of paper.
I am in the UK, so ebay so far has been the only real place i have looked for components but i know of a few commercial companies for bearings and couplings.
With regards to budget, sub £1K would be ideal as i want to invest the least amount to begin with, but eventually build up my capability. I will most likely design my own CNC chassis around the components recommended here, so data sheets are most welcome!
I also don't mind making the design Open-source, I am considering an arduino based controller much like the reprap project that feeds the G-code from a SD card rather than relying on a PC to feed the job over.