Thanks for that ThothLoki, I think I may have to buy a printer then work out what I need. With all the help available I should be ok. The spac on this machine says Windows, Mac and Linux OS's are supported. It has GT-Host, Repetier-Host and Printrun installed, and there is a USB port for connection to a computer, also an SD card support for offline printing.
The file formats are .STL.GCode. I reckom this should be ok.
I have been looking at a few books on Amazon. If I may quote from one I saw last night
" Printers that use ABS need an enclosed space to create a 'heat bubble' as the object is printed so there is almost no airflow around the object.
PLA objects, in contrast, can have constant airflow around the object and require no such 'heat bubble'.
When you see a printer without an enclosure, know that they will only be able to print using PLA "

I think it is better to drop the idea of the books and ask the guys on the site here what they advise. In fact I reckon I should order that printer now and worry about all these things when I have built it ??
Thanks again for all your help this really is a great place.