Time to chime in. Yes the machine needs work to the accuracy down and running smooth. the quality is ok, one thing some people fail to realize, these machines were/are designed for the HOBBYIST who is trying to get in to small projects. My company bought an eldorado in 2006. I started to work with it, then I started to modify the machine, ball screws, dro's 400inoz steppers, trued the table, table rock will always be a problem in these machines, just because of the way the table is driven by a single screw on one side, you can get a large portion out, but its going to take time and a little amount of money. I use our machine for alot of prototype work. after my modifications, I can keep .002 on my "X", this is repeatable. on my "Y" I have .0015. on my "Z" .001. for a hobbyist machine I feel this is more them acceptable.
As for working with JT at shopmaster, I've never had a problem. he has always answered my E-Mails within 48hours, and some times with in 4 hours. if your looking to get started, I think these are good machines. your never going to get accuracy like a HAAS machine.
Brian
"If everyone is thinking alike somebody's not thinking!"
HAAS TM-3P and a HAAS OM-2