Originally Posted by
jckstrthmghty
I agree what was said before, over 48" 8020 is inadequate. Even 8040 as you see in many other kits is not enough for the gantry beam. However being easy to cut and assemble extrusion does simplify the build process tremendously while being straight enough for most hobby needs. When I first started I didn't have the precision tools or the experience to make a good machine and I struggled to achieve accuracy and repeatablility. Aluminum extrusion would've been a great option. If I had to choose how to start from nothing today I would pick an upgraded extrusion kit. The kind with profiled rails and ballscrew. Wood machines like peteeng's have a huge advantage, price. You can make and remake parts without a huge hit to the pocket. Built properly plywood or mdf will be plenty stiff and you have a current machine to make the parts for it. I'd definitely go with nema 23's over 17's for the machine dimensions you are building. I can stall my nema 17's on my 3d printers that have no real mass. Anyways, good luck in the design process. Very rewarding to design and build your own machine.