I bought a "turnkey" CNC Taig mill from DeArmond Tool. Dan was very helpful in getting me started. You can buy the 4th axis for this. I am not a machinist but have worked in a machine shop (sounds like a Holiday Inn commercial) for a short time with manual mill, lathe, etc..., so the learning curve for CNC for me was pretty big. I am making hinged hand held molds (aluminum) so accuracy in lining up the 2 halves has been one of the many challenges. Finding work holding is harder with the small mill. I had to make most of my fixtures. But with experience I think the Taig mill is accurate if you know/learn how to use it. Other things are learning the cad software, cam software and the machine software. I have no expericene with the other machine/compaines except when I worked at the machine shop I learned how to use the Super-Tech Supercam software which is good for what we used it for, 2d stuff plasma cutting. The Mach 3 is what came with my machin and I think I like it better for 3d stuff running my machine. If I was doing 2d plasma stuff again, I would rather use the Super-Tech Supercam.
Here are some pics of one some of he molds I have made with the Taig.
Picasa Web Albums - David Aery - Molds
David L. Aery
www.hooksolutions.com