Re: 20 questions - long - shortened to 6

> Driver ?

There is a better route.
For the small table get a Xylotex. For the big one get Gecko's

> what stepper motors would you recommended for the small one(in/oz)

(brand)?

Any surplus ones, NEMA23 single stack are fine.
NEMA34, dbl stack for the large table or go to servos.

> what router motor would be good?

Check the archives. Pretty much anything you can get locally. Name
brands are better. STAY AWAY FROM THE HF stuff. You will spend a
few hours making a $20 toy useable and will never be able to replace
it. Voice of experience. Buy the router based on how you can hold
it. Some are much easier than others.

> On the large unit, I would like to make it 48x96 workable area

and put a router in it to mainly work up to 2 inch wood. Could all-
thread be used on the z axis here as the weight of the router would
seem to me to control the backlash ?

>

Very poor choice. Again check the archives for links to very solid
designs. A belt drive seems to be very cost effective. All-thread
is a poor choice, even for the PCB table, but many people use it and
get good results from small tables with light loads.

>Oh yes, and software. Can anyone steer me as to what they would

recommend on this type of configuration?

>

To Start and learn - TurboCNC. Awfully simple.
Get some experience with what it can and cannot do and what you need
to do with it, then your questions will have knowledge and experience
behind them so when you open your wallet, your purchase will be a
good one.

>In case someone is wondering, I would like to stay in a 2k budget on

all of this. From some of the sites I have seen on the web I may be
better buying some item pre-made. Suggestions?

>

First, it seems that the linear stuff and power stuff will eat that
up. the table and software will take another chunk.

Search INSTANT-Z and save a bunch of time and energy.

Dave