Dear Sceadwian, Thanks so much for the prompt reply. I should rephrase my budget range. I actually have budgeted to spend up to $300 for parts, but was hoping to do the rigging myself. I'm still training on "DoubleCAD" (& emachineshop.com) and won't likely have drawings for a week or so. I was thinking about having a 4" or 5" OD gray PVC conduit pipe for the lower tube and a slightly larger one (if need be with small rollers attached to the interior of the larger tube) to fit like a sleeve on top. To raise/lower it I was thinking about having a motor attached to another smaller tube in the center of the bottom tube. A "worm screw" would be attached to that which would be attached to the upper sleeve section. Hopefully if I rigged things right I'd be able to get about 10" of vertical range of motion. The other challenge is to have the tilting platform. I've thought about having a small "worm screw" attached to a lever, but am not sure. So basically if I went with the 2 "worm screw" approach the question would be: what type of motors, control units, screw assemblies, etc. would be a good place to start at. As far as the remote control, it would basically be a wired system that can enable either worm screw motor (the bigger vertical one or the smaller horizontal "tilt" one) and have it automatically stop (if easily possible) once the screw is at its maximum in or out position.
I guess my question would be your suggestion then regarding what type of motor/worm screw assembly suppliers you think are good?
Thanks again, Steve