In my thread on getting a new toy, (
CLICK here for that thread) a plasma cutter. I mentioned of eventually getting a CNC table to cut the sheet metal. That won't happen for another year. But I've gotten interested in a smaller table which I also mention in that thread, the Widgitmaster Mini.
I was thinking of making the whole thing as shown in those pictures. That has changed. I found something that I had forgotten I had. It was stored way in the back dark regions of the basement along with other "soon to be used items".

Here are some pics and a bit of explanation.

I forgot I had this. I was going to send the glass scales and readout box to Darren but found out it would cost both of us an arm to two legs to get over the pond. I got this from a freind of my Dad's. It was some sort of table used to check, perhaps holes in a printed circuit board. It has very nice rails that run very freely on both the X & Y, plus a short travel Z axis.

Here's a close up of the Z axis. You can also see one of the bearing rollers on horizontal rail. Note the pointed part with the handle on it.

The only minor problem is with the clearence under the X axis rail. A little over 1.5" inches. This can be modified by putting blocks under the left rail (Y axis) to rasie the whole works up. But I think I'll give it a try as it is.
Since I already have the table hardware all set up. Oh by the way that is a cast iron table that the whole unit is bolted to. I was thinking all I need to do is buy a 3 axis drive system and mount it to this setup. I already have two mother boards coming, they should be here today, in anticipation of building the Wdigitmaster and then buying the CNC plasma table next year.
So more research is in order here. I'll report back when and if things will go in that direction.
Bernd