Lots of advice previously stated but too much to wade through so excuse any duplication below:
Gout is indeed caused by increased levels of uric acid.
High purine foods (Google it) should be avioded. High on the list are offal and shellfish though other foods (like strawberries) will affect...
I went to a local aluminium stockist and bought a length of flat bar ( 4m x 100mm x 6mm). I got the lad in the warehouse to cut it on their saw into 2 lengths - 2.5m and 1.5m. I don't rememeber how much I paid (about £20 springs to mind)
The second tool is a glass cutter, as Rorschach says. The bevelled end would have a diamond mounted in it. I've still got one that belonged to my father.
You don't neccessarily need a rack and pinion to move the table of a bench mounted drill press vertically. I use a car scissor jack under the table of my Fobco Star.