HI Bob, sounds like you and I are having similar experiences. I have several low cost Chinese CNC machines and it is as you say, the engineering is dodgy, BUT I operate on the premise of I can deliver 80% of what a $100k machine can produce on a $8K machine so I am able to absorb much of the 'keep it going' costs'. As for 3D printing I have three 3D up machines and they are just fantastic and I have done lots of prototyping jobs successfully. They seem to be Chinese and I have to admit if you like me just want to push button to print their software is the best., unfortunately I can only get 140mm prints of them, hence my paying top $ for the Ultimaker which for me is a total lemon.