This post is about shopping. Shopping list attached -- but the post itself is the real list. I will be updating this as I remember the things I forget.
2X4 -- You need 2 8 foot 2X4's. Get the Kiln-Dried stuff for straightness and strength. I bought 10 foot boards because I make mistakes.
You can check a board for straightness by looking down it, lengthwise. Reject boards that are this crooked.
Accept boards that are straight-ish. It is hard to find boards straighter than this.
Threaded rod -- You want 1/4 20 threaded rod. Every bolt and nut on this scanner will be 1/4 20. It's a handy, easy to work with size and the same size as the threaded hole on the bottom of your camera.
4" bolts -- 1/4 20, again. You'll need 2 of these. They hold the camera mounts.
Washers -- get the large "Fender Washers". We're working with wood here, we want to spread the load around. A bunch. 8, 10? They're cheap. Get extra.
Nuts -- 1/4 20, again. A bunch. 8, 10? They're cheap. Get extra.
Wing Bolts -- a handy way to mount the camera. These are 3/8", the smallest they have, but still a bit long for the depth of the tripod socket. Use a couple of those fender washers to space it out. Get 2.
Wing Nuts -- great for hand-assembly and disassembly. I use them whenever possible because they're convenient and cool. You need 2.
Drawer Slides -- these are the standard 14" slides available everywhere. They come in 2 packs. You'll need 'em both.
Desk Drawer Slides "Keyboard shelf" slides. These things are AWESOME. They come 2 to a pack. You'll need both. These hold the cradle base and move it back and forth. They have right-angle hardware on them that is very convenient.
Door Pull - Home Depot doesn't have square U-bolts that I like to use for handles. This drawer pull is the best alternative there. Most drawer handles for kitchens are not deep enough to clear my knuckles. You need 1.
Wood Screws -- 1 1/4". These mount the drawer slides and lots of other stuff.
Wood Screws -- 2 1/2". You need a small box. These put the 2x4's together.
2 1/2" bolts. 1/4 20. These bolt 2x4's together. You need 4 of them -- for the column. This picture is incorrect. Imagine that they are 2.5" long, plz.
Outlet Strip. Get one with 4 outlets and an 8 foot cord. Must have power switch.
4" Angle Bracket. You need 2. These will become your camera mounts, yes.
3/4" MDF sheet -- For safety, get your gaunt friend to stare it down for you. Quantity: 1.
1/2" MDF sheet -- Makes the cradle top, leaving room for spine foldy bits. Quantity, 1.
Clamp Lamp. This ingenious lamp attaches itself to things, so you don't have to. You need 2.
Lighting. Though not archivally appropriate, I prefer the brightness of floody daylight halogens. Get Edison "Reveal" or other daylight halogen Par38 bulbs with bubbly lens. Quantity: 2.
Glass -- Home Despot doesn't sell this, as far as I know. I went to a local Republican hotbed, Scheel's Hardware, and grudgingly blew six bucks on two 11x15" pieces of "Doublestrength" glass. Be sure to specify "doublestrength" so you get the tough stuff. I also bought these screws there because I forgot them at Home Despot.
Powershot SX200, A1000, or A590 IS.
http://www.google.com/products?&q=powershot%20sx200
http://www.google.com/products?q=powershot+a590+is
http://www.google.com/products?q=powershot+a1000&aq=f
SD Card -- get a 4GB card. I like SDHC cards because they're a bit more future-proof than standard cards.
http://www.google.com/products?q=sdhc+4gb&aq=f
Ricoh CA-1 -- a commercially manufactured trigger. Faster than getting one from me, 'cuz I'm swamped, d00dz.
http://www.google.com/products?q=ricoh+ca-1&aq=f
Y-cable, You can use this to split the output of the CA-1 for two cameras. Yes, two cameras.
EDIT: DO NOT BUY THIS Y CABLE, IT WILL NOT WORK. more here.
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Y-Cable- ... gy_p_img_c
USB Mini-B extension cable -- Extends the CA-1 and Y cable to reach both cameras.
http://www.usbfirewire.com/uextendminib.html
This post subject to change and addition in the short term.