Re: 5000 rpm option on FL300-II
true. But at least the Smithy parent company has been around a long time, and is unlikely to pack up and disappear overnight, leaving your with a lemon and no US support.
For example, Smithy sold a user here a machine with all sorts of problems, and ended up taking it back and giving him an upgrade to the FL-300-II.
Worth paying a bit more for that kind of support. Also, just because machines look identical doesn't mean they are. A bigger company with more orders can demand higher QC from the manufacturer, and the "fly by night" drop-ship company might be selling the rejects from the larger company.
I agree with you about "shotgun"... seems like Smithy would be better off with three distinct machines that don't overlap capability and price range. Easier to provide after sales support as well.
Tim
Tormach 1100-3, Grizzly G0709 lathe, Clausing 8520 mill, SolidWorks, HSMWorks.