If you have room for a Bridgeport and can find one used, get it. Yes,
it's big. But when you find yourself faced with a job that needs the
travel or table space, a smaller machine just won't do.
If you don't have room for a Bridgeport, look for a Clausing 8530 or
8520 (in that order). About 1/2 the size of the B'port, almost as rigid.
Don't forget to budget for 'mill jewelry'. I probably have more invested
in that than my 8530 cost up front. The other advantage of the
Bridgeport is that the tooling that fits it is cheapest; a smaller
machine takes parts and accessories that the industry considers oddball,
and thus charges more for.
Direct/digital readouts are wonderful, but certainly not necessary if
you're methodical and careful. Power feed is occasionally useful - I
have it on a single table axis - especially if you're doing long slow
cuts or facing something with a fly cutter.
I'd put the money into a air misting lube system instead, myself, if I
had to choose.
Best,
chris
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