Hood has you on track.  To do metal parts a Mill is best overall.  A router can do simple metal parts BUT its limitations are normally the spindle is way too fast and the machine is NOT near rigid enough to maintain accuracy in metal work.

(;-) TP

Thanks everyone for the replies, keep them coming.  I've been reading through the projects that others have completed and I must say I'm a little intimidated, but mostly encouraged to see that there are folks that have limited mechanical backgrounds that are making truly beautiful things.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Don't be intimidated by others stuff - you can do it just as they do if you are determined enough (although I would hold on a while before attempting one of Steve's V8's  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,15091.0.html ).

I have made quite a lot of stuff that I really don't have the skills to make by conventional or manual means - all thanks to Mach3 and CNC. 

Tweakie.

Thanks for the encouragement, Tweakie.  I've checked out your site, you're way too modest.