The Taig is a very capable turnkey small starter machine that can do real work and be resold easily when he outgrows it.
The Grizzly X3 with its potential modified 18 x 8 x 18 envelope would be a better choice for larger machine, But would have to be torn down and converted to CNC from manual. Cost about $3500. The Taig could make all of the CNC mounts to convert the X3 for a savings of about $500.
http://grizzly.com/products/Mill-Drill/G0463
CR.