stepper motor size

Ok...I'm sure the answer is in the archives, but I couldn't find it.

I am building a small machine, cutting mostly machining wax, plaster,
wood, and occasionally aluminum. I want to be able to use 1/4 inch
tool size max.

What size steppers?

Are the 80oz/inch steppers that hobbycnc sells sufficient, or will i
lose a lot of steps. If machining aluminum, I dont mind taking a lot
of passes, but for others, I dont want to wait days to have a
finished part.

I have been playing with deskam and seem to enjoy using it. Anybody
have any "dislikes" for the program?

TO give you some insight, I see the software as the main investment.
I would like to go as small and cheap as possible to get the job done
with 1/4 inch tools...will upgrade to servomotors later on what will
most likely be a bridgeport clone or a homebrew system with heavy
dute slides and a good spindle, as well as my current leblond lathe
14x36.

Thanks for your help...you guys are a great wealth of knowledge.
-Jacob Runyan