mikeschn,
Ger21's conduit design can be done without cnc If you have a good router and a laminate trimmer bit with a bearing. All you have to do is make a simple jig to hold the form that the bit follows & the work piece.
This reminds me of the Dave Gingery books. He talks at length about how some one had to build the first one. It's the old "which came first the chicken or the egg." In this case it is the egg because without the egg you can't make the chicken out of the hardware.
Also the draw guide system is not that bad. For a first time machine and a learning experience, I believe most beginners would be very pleased with the machine. I have read about many machines getting 1/32" accuracy from drawer guides. This is far more accurate than most cabinet shops could ever hope for.
I am a newbie my self and I do not have an unlimited budget to build with so I really hope that people will come to the cause with some new "cheap" ideas for the beginner.
Thanks so very much
Jimmy Southern
P.S. don't be afraid to throw out very crazy ideas, sometimes they work!!
