[Dick Linn]

That ZX45 mill you posted appears to be one of the many Rong Fu RF-45 square-column mill clones. Here's a brief intro: http://www.fignoggle.com/machines/rf...mill/index.htm

Many folks do good work with these (assuming this is the 700+ lb. machine) and also retrofit them for CNC. Look/ask around here: http://www.cnczone.com/

I'm of the opinion that one needs to learn the basics of milling before venturing into CNC. A DRO is a definite plus.