I'm sure the tormach is a capiable machine. How ever if you have the space and could handle maybe a little more learning curve (challenge of maybe something older and a bit larger and might take some more old school cnc learning).. I'd suggest picking up something form a tool and die auction.
I say this partly as I was pretty lucky to get a Bridgeport S1 R2V3 with a boss 10 control for only 1000 bucks a month or so at a local auction.
I'm pretty sure that is more tool for the 1000 bucks then the tormach would be for 5-6k.
Something to be said for something new. How ever like I said I got lucky, dismantled the Bridgeport, transported it home, re-assembled and it all works and came with a LOT of tooling. Probably could ebay the amount of tooling for more then I paid.
Might pay to look around and some other options. Several of the people who frequent the auctions also warehouse things like this (to resell at a profit and such) and you might score something nice from them in the process if you didn't get anything at the auction..
Just an idea..
I have converted my round pole to CNC quite a while ago. And while I really like how it came out.. I'd consider it to be more like a torchmach would be (since it's about the same size)... Soon after getting the bridgeport I've found the capasity and brute ability (ie cutting steel) is far past what I would run on my round pole and feel ok about it...
Depending on your location might be some good deals to have vs the torch.
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