I don't have any comments about the GR machines to add to what I have already posted in this thread. But I do have a question: You are working with 16 to 10 ga. material; i.e. your thickest material is around 0.1". Why do you need 24 inches of Z travel?

And actually I do have a(nother) comment/(question). Have you tried machining the galvanized steel with a 3/8 two flute at 100 ipm. My limited experience cutting some 11 ga steel was something of a disaster. The d****d stuff would not cut. Granted I was running a four flute cutter but it built up a huge burr in front of the cutter and the material eventually started to glow red. By slowing things down I managed to finish what I was doing but it was not one of my most efficient operations.