That is a reasonable machine, and pretty well dressed. I'd pretty much garantee that it is over your budget. I encourage you to go and look at it, with the expectation that it is unlikely that you will be bringing it home. You can learn a lot about what you would want, what is typically available in your area, what a "fair market" price is - by looking at machines. Internet forums and reading up on machines are a good start, but you have to actually look at machines. With your budget, you are limited to small and/or light duty machines, or used machines (probably both). It is unlikely you will get to be very choosie on the make/model - the only choice will be to take the one on offer, or walk away - and wait for the next one to turn up. Then you get the choice of taking that next machine, or walk away, and so on. You need to be comfortable walking away from a machine - not every deal works out.
I've walked away from at least 2x the number of machines I've purchased, but I learned something from every one of those opportunities.
In otherwords, you need to educate yourself. When you see something that will work for you, buy it immediately. I suggest you don't sweat the price too much. Of course, don't pay more than you have to, but don't be afraid to pay as much as you need to. In the overall scheme of things, whether you pay $2500 or $5000 for that machine, it won't matter at all in 10 years. However, in 10 years you'll still have a pretty nice machine.
I am absolutely a home hobby guy. I way overpaid for my first machine. I spent $10,000 on a 15" lathe (it was a used machine, but still just like new) - that was more than 30 years ago. It is still a very nice machine for my application (not real heavy duty, but a good commercial grade machine). In the past few years, I have bought 3 good milling machines, a very nice little toolroom lathe, two saws and 3 good drill presses - all put together, those machines were about the cost of that first lathe. They nearly all needed some work (some a lot, some very little).
Go look at that machine. You are not wasting your time - you are furthering your education. You are not wasting the seller's time, perhaps it is a deal that would really work for you (let the seller decide if he wants to meet with you - don't decide for him if it is worth his time, that is his decision).
Let us know how it works out. Regards, David
