Believe me David, I can imagine what a Bridgeport can do! My mill is a mid-size, but when the new shop gets built and I have ROOM I am going to go on a serious hunt for a Bridgeport or a clone. My mill uses the R8 tooling, so I am all set for the step up! I have a lot of fun on the machining aspects. I use my mill and lathe a lot now..just finished a set of steering hub adapters. It's a lot more fun to MAKE rather than BUY, even if you have to make a couple of false starts before you get it right.
I have been surprised how fast the inverter welders have caught on (and gotten cheaper!). I bought one for the TIG capability, and it has been great even though it cost me less than $300. I want to try some aluminum sheet to see if it brittles the metal like my large TIG. I hope that the small will create less problems and be faster to weld a body together when the time comes.
I am also right there with Mick...BUY A PLASMA CUTTER! I have a 36 amp, and it is FANTASTIC. Cuts fab time at least in half!
If only I could talk the wife into a WaterJet!
