Not very many people buy things unseen, how ever, if a good friend recommended it , I might buy. Maybe some one you trust very much tells you it is a good deal. I might buy in that situation. Their are many good friends on the PT forum, and looking through their eyes about the things they have done, seen, experienced, discussed argued, helped each other. I would think you could go with a good thing, and feel justified in the outcome. I don't believe that I have heard any body trash the capabilities of the PT. Most would say they should have bought it years earlier. So really, you are not buying it unseen, you have seen the pictures, read the postings, and talked to the people that make the machine, and talked with the people that are actually using the machine in a working environment. I don't believe you could get any better recommendations anywhere. So even if you never get to Tazwell, you can still benefit from all the knowledge that is available. I have never been to the PT manufacturing plant. I rely on my knowledge, other people knowledge, and communication skills to Git er Done.