machine recommendations / feedback

[zcases]

I am adding capacity to my part time "hobby" business. I have outgrown my Mach retrofitted BOSS5 CNC knee mill (which I still love by the way).......just getting tired of standing by it to change tools all night.

So.....

Looking for a good value VMC. I don't see a Leadwell category here but have a lead on a local MCV-OP, 1991...Meldas.....box ways......just removed from service. Local tech says these are easy to get parts for, easy to work on etc, all of which I consider real plusses considering I don't want a machine to break ME when/if it breaks. And will the Meldas do 3 axis simultaneous interpolating?

Any ideas on selling prices for these older Leadwells? I think the asking price (~10k) is quite optimistic. I'd probably offer half that.

I'd still consider spending more for the right "value". But maybe I can get this one right, and have a good stepping stone to the next level.....

Thanks for any input.......

[zcases]

Any Leadwell guys want to give a quick thought on these? I am looking at a MCV-OP (1991) and also a VMC-25 (1996) now. Both are at the same location which is prety convenient for me as far as rigging, etc. Guess I'm looking for a warm/fuzzy from an experienced Leadwell user......