Brilliant! thanks for that great reply, Robin2.
I'll order a couple of those A4988 and current limit them to 1.33A.
That and a 24V 5A (e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311645065124) power supply should do the trick then!
Then it's just plug and play (and figuring out how to use the controller, but seems straightforward - just sending pulses to move step by step)
Thanks again.
PS: Well done writing those posts you linked, very handy info