Mike,

   Re:

>... The import tools just don't measure up. Q/C in a
> slave labor camp just ain't that good. Parts are hard to get and may take
> months to arrive, if you can get them at all.

Am I to take it that Jet products are now made in China?  When I first started looking at them, 1971, they were made in Japan.  Sometime in the early 80's, I noticed that they were marked "Taiwan", which was still acceptable to me.  If they've gone  to China - what a let-down (sigh).

>     The same money will buy you a nice, well cared for, used American
> machine that will be FAR superior in terms of construction and a lot easier
> to get parts and accessories for. I strongly suggest this route.

   A caveat here: if you're buying an older American machine, do check to see if they are still in business or if someone else is supporting them with parts, etc.  My ancient
Clausing seems to be at the point of having to have parts custom made now - or adapted from other mfgr's (I take *extra* good care of it now.)

Dale R.