Scott,

The guy's at Redstar RC (http://www.redstarrc.com) are just finishing a laser cutter that they built from the ground up. Probably not as advanced as one of those $$$$ jobs that will do everything from cutting to etching. But iif you have some engineering skills (Mike and George do) you might drop them a line. I bet they saved thousands and the cutter will do 24 x 48.

My short list for biig tools:

1) 52" Hot wire
2) Vaccuum Molder/Former
3) CNC Milling Machine
4) CNC Laser Cutter
5) A air conditioned shop

I think I'll be waiting for a while, as sometime it's hard for me to convince the wife that I just need a laser cut kit (LOL).