<HTML> In a message dated 11/14/03 11:10:15 PM, ANRPiano@aol.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE CITE STYLE="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px" TYPE="CITE">My natural tendency i= s to do for myself (I even do my own nickel plating) I would like to design = and build something which could work within the constraints of my shop </BLOCKQUOTE> When buying a bridgeport try for the affordable round ram type, the series M= and J1&2 run $1600.00 and up. I don't have a tracer but I did build a c= am type follower that clamps to the quill of the mill, and I put a weight on= the feed lever to ensure follow. Add a table feed and you can make passes u= nattended by an operator. IF you get a mill it will ruin your life by openin= g up endless tool-making capabilities. For example I flat badly dinged keyst= icks with a flycutter on the mill. BTW, what system do you use for nicle plating ? Glenn C.</HTML>