My first CNC Router was built from timber and 12mm birch ply with M8 threaded rod, and drawer runners as the linear bearings. It wasn't very accurate and was somewhat feeble. However it did make a good laser cutter, with the addition of a 400mW laser diode. It had a cutting area of 300mm x 300mm.
Sadly I don't have any pictures but I do have these grainy webcam videos...