Thor came about due to the same questions.

For me, its all about Alu. What could I build that I could run off 240V and give me as close to Datron's performance for 10% of the cost?

2 tons of concrete and a lot of labour, Thor exists.

Is it as good, no, very far from it. It does however give me reasonable results and does what I need.

Id certainly consider a retrofit machine like the Sabre 500 in future. My other limit was roof height, otherwise Id certainly have considered this too at the time.