Our team works our a classroom and have very similar situations regarding machining. What we have learned is that we need to build within our limits but still somewhat custom just takes careful practice. We manage to have a decent robot, at least from the past couple years. We love to bend 1x1 tubing for framing and mechanisms....its very hard but takes very little resources

btw, a good 2 axis vise for a drill press makes a world of difference!