While it isn't a literal dumpster dive, but rather a nicely sorted hackerspace full of stuff, I found what I believe is an ideal power supply for the price of $0 in the MakeLehighValley cast-off pile. We have a big box of ATX power supplies. I was just walking by as a guy was emptying the box looking for a particular one and I saw this! It has 16A at 12V so I believe that is right where I've heard it needs to be. I'll have to look at the Azteeg X3 to see if it would help to bring the 5V up also to run the controller.
While properly plugged in and the green power line jumped to ground, it comes up and hums nicely.
I've done power supply mods before and found them to be pretty easy. This thing has AC and a switch on the back and DC out the front. I'm thinking I may put a switch for power up front where the DC stuff is coming out now and look at running the 12V discreetly out the top and directly into the makerslide.
I also managed to basically get the platform standing. I feel confident that I can go through it with my daughter at this point without stopping and thinking a bunch and losing her attention as a result.
I was having some trouble with the bed carriage. It seems to move unevenly on the rail like there is a bump somewhere that I need to figure out. Any tips on where to look for this problem? I examined the V-wheels and the V-rails and they both seemed smooth to the eye. I'll give it all a more thorough look as I'm taking it apart I guess.