Let him buy some steppers and try them out ![Smile](images/smilies/smile.png)
The worst thing about steppers is people expecting them to keep track of position by the number of steps they were commanded to move. If you have a controller that will keep cranking out pulses until the thing is where it is supposed to be, then there should not be a whole lot wrong with them, I suppose.
But, then you have to buy an encoder, which is usually part of a servo system and can account for $300 to $500 worth of the cost, per axis.
First you get good, then you get fast. Then grouchiness sets in.
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)