"Ed" wrote in message

Why does that Bridgeport machine weigh 2400 pounds? That seems excessive,
but then again I don't do metalwork.

Good industrial machines are made from cast iron. They have to be heavily
made to withstand a lot of stress and not flex. You can also put some
rather heavy work on the way to mill and with a cantilever it would be very
stressful on a lesser base. Also, it must be solidly in place and not prone
to tipping.