I'm proposing you use what ever materials that you have available that will suffice. If you have access to better gear then use it, if your budget is limited then go cheaper.
All of the software you need to do this is opensource. So its generally FREE
GRBL
Universal Gcode Sender
Raspian (a type of Linux)
MonkeyCAM
And the hardware is based on cheap stepper motors and drivers and Arduino microcontroller, and a Raspberry Pi computer to run the Raspian operating system on with a cheap HDMI monitor and kb/mouse.
An alternative to Raspian/Raspberry pi is to use Mac or PC as the Universal Gcode Sender can run on MACOSX, Windows, Linux ..... its portable.
The actual CNC router , is very basic 3 axis system using bearings and belts and timing pulleys. Timber, ply, angle iron, steel, plastic, aluminium, whatever looks roughly useful probably can be put to good use. Your friend google will show you plenty of fully wooden CNC routers with simple steel or ali bearing rails , I've seen one a mate of mine built that has built dozens of skate decks this was very inspiring as the guy was on a tough budget.
Don't be afraid to have a crack at this, it will be a useful tool for your workshop to make boards press profiles , cutting plasic base to shape and profiling drilling and rebating cores. There are a few challenges ot learn but if you are patient then youll enjoy the challenge and end up with a very very useful tool.
I'm not looking for anything out of this apart from the satisfaction of helping someone else improve their workshop and hopefully build a network of cnc enabled ski/board builders that help each other out. Doing this will help get more focus on the key software like MonkeyCAM and further the development of it.
So if you are interested please hit me up. Other CNC knowledgeable guys (you know who your are!!!) please also pass on your wisdom here.
Lets see who can build the cheapest best CNC!!!!!!!
cheers
Rich