I do not have any particular experience of knowledge of this device except what I have seen here, but ...
MDF should not be a problem unless you want to reduce the tolerance/accuracy level below 0.001 or so. Unless you have a widely varying humidity level in the area it is in. Wood does not automatically equate to "toy".
As for the drawer slides, they come in a great variety of styles and some are a lot more accurate than others. They also can have different levels of slop in different directions. If they are properly selected and installed, they can be quite good, perhaps down to 0.002" or even better.
Where the real problem really is is the drive screws and the steppers that drive them. If they used hardware store, threaded rod, then you automatically are reduced to +/-0.004" or worse accuracy. The accuracy of the steppers is on top of that so it adds to the error. Example: 20 TPI screw and 200 step stepper. That gives 20 X 200 divisions per inch or 4000. Each division if already at 0.00025" I strongly doubt that adding micro-stepping to that system would improve the accuracy to any measurable or noticeable degree.
I could easily build a much better system with MDF and drawer slides by employing better screws and more attention to design and construction. However, I would use ground shafting for slides and close fitting bushings for the ways and better quality screws, perhaps Acme rod or ball screws from E-bay. I could easily get it down to 0.001" without any micro-stepping, which I do not trust except as a means of attaining smoother motion, not better resolution or accuracy. Micro stepping is not accurate because the torque is reduced at every level of increased steps.
Yes, it is expensive for the level of accuracy it claims.
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Smith" <ajsmith1968@...> wrote:
>
> > That one looks a wooden toy, not a serious router. Very expensive for the
> > quality it seems to have. Just my opinion.
>
>
> That one has been around for a while, it's more an educational thing than
> anything else. Made using MDF (chipboard?) and drawer slides.
>
> Tony
>