Milling machine feedback

[ahartnet]

I've found a used milling machine that the seller is asking for $3k for. It's an Acra LS-2S (bridgeport knee-milling machine clone). It's got a power feed in the horizontal travel (and Z I think too), and as far as DRO goes, it's wired in the X and Y so it's just missing the DRO display. I also have a contact that will sponsor us with up to $5k in milling machine tooling if I can get a milling machine - which is hugely awesome and I don't know how long that offer will stand.

I was able to get ahold of Acra, and the factory that used to handle this machine is closed. This I imagine would make it difficult to do any repairs, find replacement parts, and difficult to find a manual.

Looking for advice on if this is a good purchase or not. We have a mentor with milling machine experience that I checked it out with. It's in pretty good shape - a little bit of knock when it runs, but not much. Table travels smoothly, handles work well, table is in good shape, etc. He also has one at home that he did a lot of the machining that we needed last year. I'd of course love to get our students that experience though.