Looking for milling machine purchase help/advice

[Downwindtracker2]

I'll stand by what I said. Repairing machinery to me is hot worms , no big deal. But trying to use a machine that is +/- 10 thou is. That is what you can get with a lot of used Bridgeports. I replaced the feed rods and nuts on mine. It's genuine Rong Fu and so I was able to get parts through Thomas Skinner, the importer. That was a while back. It's now a +/- one thou machine. Not ideal but I can live with that. To get that out would require scraping.

BTW, the Canadian made Excello is a better machine than the Bridgeport.

 

[Susquatch]

I'll stand by what I said. Repairing machinery to me is hot worms , no big deal. But trying to use a machine that is +/- 10 thou is. That is what you can get with a lot of used Bridgeports.

I'd rather buy a used Bridgeport that needs work than a smaller new machine. You would rather buy a new smaller machine. That's just personal preference. But did you really have to say that anyone who buys a used Bridgeport is "full of it"?

BTW, the Canadian made Excello is a better machine than the Bridgeport.

There is always something bigger or better. A lot of our members have Excellos and Firsts. The mill I have now isnt really a Bridgeport either. It's a Hartford.

I think many of us just refer to all that class of machines as Bridgeports - perhaps because so many parts are interchangeable or perhaps because the basic function is the same.

There is a place for everyone here on this forum. We try not to put others down because of their choice of machine. We all live with what we can afford, have room for, and what we prefer.

As for new or used, my first lathe was well used. When it came time to get a bigger one, I decided to buy new. It's a really nice machine that I really like. But to get what I wanted, it cost me a small fortune. In hindsight, I wish I had spent less on a better used machine so I had more cash left for tooling. My last 4 big machine purchases have all been used. Some needed more work than others but all within my skill set. So, with the hindsight of my own experiences, my personal preference is to buy used with my eyes wide open.

 

[Downwindtracker2]

I've often joked I pay a dime on the dollar for the machine but end up paying a quarter on the dollar in parts . I draw the line at scrapping in. It doesn't always work. I only paid $50 more for my auction pressure washer then I would have had I bought new.