Servo and electronics selection

I am finally to the stage of selecting my electronics and motors for
a 3-axis gantry I have been building. I have spend many hours and
thousands of dollars in the mechanics of this system and although I
have been researching servos VS. steppers, DC brush and brushless, AC
with DSP control, even VSRM's, I have no idea what would be the best
path.

The machine is 8' X 8' X 2' with ground ballscrews and preloaded nuts
on all axes. The slides are hardened and ground 1" shafts with linear
bearing. These are attached to 2 - 4' X 8' MIC-6 tooling plates with
machined fasteners.

I am more interested in precision than speed. Although I have been
able to buy the items I've needed so far, I don't want to spend any
more than I have to. I have done my own machining to save money and
now don't want to just through money at the problem. I want the
system to be general enough to handle any job thrown at it up to
milling 1/2" mild steel.

I will be selecting the software later.

Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.