Welcome to the addiction!
Welcome aboard! You'll find heaps of friendly folks here willing to help out.
And the simle answer is; "Yes You Can!"
For that size the 48 inches -- really consider using Rack and pinion for the linear drive. I bet you'll want very good resolution and repeatability for the models.
There are some good examples and one that comes to mid are the "MechMates." Do a search and hit the books!
Cheers - Jim
Experience is the BEST Teacher. Is that why it usually arrives in a shower of sparks, flash of light, loud bang, a cloud of smoke, AND -- a BILL to pay? You usually get it -- just after you need it.