I agree with the goal. I started designing my own and that has evolved as I have built. My suggestion is cheap and available. Along the klingenberg (sp) lines, using roller blade bearings (common, different grades different prices, but inexpensive in comparison to precision rails an bearings). While I'm pursuing a moving gantry, I would recommend a fixed gantry for those with limited budget and tools, and if I were to start over it would be a fixed gantry with a 42" Y axsis and a 18" Y, using steel pipe on the y, roller bearings on the x, and mdf as a construction material.
Let me know what I can do to help, but at this point I'm well into the learning phase, not an expert.
Phil |