Hi, newbie here. I have been a wood guy all my life but got into metal about 5 years ago, when I bought my first lathe, a Bolton CQ9325A. Well let me tell you, I am really enjoying making parts, building jigs and generally learning how to do stuff. Well just like motorcycles and fish tanks and trucks, all you want to do is get a bigger/faster one. Now I am 69 years old (an awkward age) and have some self control over the bigger/faster thing. So I decided I want a milling machine. My shop is half of the 2 car side of a 3 car garage, about 8' wide by 20" long. Drafting table at the end, work bench and storage along the 20" wall and sticking out in the middle is my lathe, drill press and a home made router gantry table that I use to shape the shafts of the walking sticks I make. Well a Bridgeport is out as well as a 45 series and even the Rong Fu 31, all to deep and large (my wife parks her car right behind the shop space). I looked at an X3 a G0704 and PM25. None of these choices really did it for my needs. Then one day I looked at the PM website and discovered the 727M (a little later than you guys), so I called Matt right away, only to find out he was sold out. He said the machines were shipped and I might see one in about 5 weeks. Well, I couldn't get out the credit card fast enough, it was done. The next day I bought about $500 of tooling and other stuff so I could get a start when the machine arrives (very excited). Also ordered a 4" vise from Matt. Now I need a little help, maybe I can find it here. Question 1. Is the 4" vise the right size or should I notch it up to a 5"? 2. Has anyone tried to motorize the Z axis ? and 3. I was looking at the DRO PROS Electronica 400 2 axis DRO with the magnetic scales. Any comments on these questions would be appreciated, especially the Z power feed. Thanks.
