Advise please on machines available

[JAZZCNC]

Thanks for chipping in. I see these routers all over ebay, cheap as dirt, so I've been put right off them. Another turn off is when I read they can only hold a 3mm tool for example. do you suggest I give them a more in depth look?

No I suggest you avoid them like a dose of Clap.!!! . . . Only use is for learning on which you clearly don't need.

Building my own, hmmm.....I have 2 motorbikes, 3 rc helicopters, 7 rc cars, a house to do up. I'm not quite sure I have the time right now, although the prospect sounds appealing (depending what mood I'm in).

This is exactly what I suggest you do.!! . . . . I know you'll get a better suited machine to your needs cheaper than converting a small mill that is mostly unsuitable for cutting small parts in Aluminium. If you was looking to cut steel then I'd say yes go with a small mill but not Ali and with relatively small tooling.

A nice small strong fixed Gantry machine like Wal's but with profiled linear rails and nice fast spindle like 2.2Kw ER20 will serve you much better and for fraction the price of decent mill that wil most likely have an unsuitable spindle speed range for Ali.!

If you haven't got time to build one then you probably haven't really got time to convert one because there won't be a lot in it unless you buy a ready made convertion kit.!!
. . Mechanicly if your tooled up and know how to use them. Prepare well getting all the stuff together before proceeding and settle on design with a plan of attack then you'll build one in same time has stripping, making motor plates and adaptions or mods that most mills require.

Electronics wise there exactly the same amount of work.!!