Some grad students recently invented a cheap laser-cutter that you can build
out of parts from old CD-ROM & DVD-ROM drives that you might have laying
around in old computers:
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/10/08/25/226214/Grad-Student-Invents-Cheap-Laser-Cutter
I don't know that 1"x1" laser-cut parts are in great demand in our hobby,
but with longer tracks, this could really be something for the home
builder! I think a band saw cutting ribs out of a stack of balsa is way
faster, though...