Well, it's a no go on the Optium mills. Rang the local distributor who said he could get one in, but wouldn't recommend them. When quizzed he stated they had plastic gears and were troublesome.

I have found another of similar type from Ozmestore. It is a much heavier machine at 340kgs, with a corresponding increase in x,y and z travel. With a 1.5 hp motor and a six speed geared head, I don't imagine the gears would be plastic.

I've dealt with Ozmestore befor, just small items, and found them excellent to deal with, however, I have heard conflicting stories. Any info on this machine wouldbe welcome.
DOVETAIL GEARED HEAD MILLING & DRILLING MACHINE
* it is industrial quality milling machine, and widely used in procceing middle or small mechanical parts, such as drilling, milling, boring, bapping etc, rational construction, smooth running and lower noise, geared head for more accurate results, no belts to stretch or wear out, speeds stay constant and are easy to change, and forward/stop/reverse switch control, it has a dovetailed head instead of column, it is a great machine to work with you
*max. drilling capacity: 40mm (1-9/16")
*max. diameter of face milling cutter: 76mm (3")
*max. diameter of end mill cutter: 28mm (1-1/8")
*swing: 545mm (21-1/2")
*max. distance between spindle nose to table: 450mm (17-3/4")
*spindle taper: MT3 (with M12 x1.75 drawbar)
*max. spindle travel: 120mm (4-3/4")
*spindle barrel diameter: 75mm (3")
*speeds: 6 steps (95-170-280-540-960-1600rpm)
*tilting angle of spindle: -/+180° (Tilting head to ±90º from vertical)
*table size: 730mm X 210mm (28-3/4" X 8-1/4")
*spindle to column (throat): 270mm
*table slot size(t-slot): 16mm (5/8")
*dovetailed head instead of column
*longitudinal travel of table: 500mm (19-3/4")
*transverse (cross) travel of table: 175mm (6-7/8")
*motor: 1.5HP (1.1kw) /240v/1ph (single phase)
*total 1100mm (43-1/3")
*total length: 800mm (31-1/2")
*total 1050mm (41-1/9")
*shipping weight: 340kgs
*packing size: 87x76x115cm
*accessories includes: MT3 shank 3" face cutter, MT3 drill chuck arbor, 13mm key drill chuck and spanners etc

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