[AdamHeard]

Better than any specific advice we can give you regarding machines is you that you need to find someone local (like a machine shop) who is willing to help you out.

Maybe they won't give money, or make parts; but they can still be incredibly valuable providing advice, old tooling sometimes, advice/training, etc...

Many of our shop sponsors never even run parts for us, but are invaluable for advice and fixes.

That being said, old machines of a nice brand in fair condition will be your best value in the machine market. You need someone experienced to help make that call though.