$2200 for the Othermill and $2500 for the Nomad for what amount to hobbyist machines seems way too high, especially for being unable to cut steel, and having su

$2200 for the Othermill and $2500 for the Nomad for what amount to hobbyist machines seems way too high, especially for being unable to cut steel, and having such limited tool sizes. I'd also venture a guess that the speeds for cutting aluminum are pretty slow, and you're probably taking very thin passes. For $3900, you can get a proper mill with a retrofit kit, controller and software: Mill: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Drill-Mill-with-Stand/G0704 http://www.grizzly.com/products/Drill-Mill-with-Stand/G0704 Retrofit Kit: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Mini-Mill-Retrofit-Kit-Compact-Series-Microstepper-for-G0704/T25436 http://www.grizzly.com/products/Mini-Mill-Retrofit-Kit-Compa... This will cut steel, accepts tools up to 7/8", has a 1HP spindle motor, a much larger work volume, higher feedrates, etc. I realize that there are plenty of applications that can be satisfied with wood and plastic, but making precise metal parts are really the killer app of CNC Mills.