The first backplate has been waterjet to test the fit and get the overall feel. I'll be traveling this weekend and won't have too much time to work on the TOME until I return. Next week will be a busy week of 3D printing to get the Z and X axis prototyped.

Here it is next to a new Makerbot for size comparison:

Z-axis Carriages are currently being designed and will hopefully start printing on Monday. 

Thank you everyone for the support thus far, cheers!