[kerst]

I would never buy a new machine , but go for an old one. the old ones are much better quality. A bridgeport is a good machine and there are many available on eBay.
I have a 9" South Bend lathe, which is more than 60 years old, but it is such a nice machine. I just love it. it is such a pleasure to work with it.
Recently I bought 3 Rockwell drill presses on eBay for the workshop I manage. I spent hardly any money and I got 3 fantastic machines, far better than the "new" drill press i bought a few years ago.
Motto: Machine has to be at least 30 years old!

Hope this helps,

kerst