The difference between a Boss machine and any other machine is that a Boss
machine has two chucks to hold bits. One chuck turns at a rate of about 1 to
1 with the rotation of the handles. The other chuck turns at a rate of about
2 to one with the rotation of the handles, that is two rotations of the
handles to one rotation of the bit.
The slower rotation is said to be for hardwood.

The difference in price is based on purchase price as well as condition of
the machine.

You can ride down the street in a Ford or a Chevy (Snell and Swan machines)
or you can ride down the street in a Cadillac (a Miller Falls machine). It's
up to you.

All machines use bits with 1/2" shanks. However sometimes long bits won't
fit in some machines, that is in between the timber and the chuck.

There is a list of machines for sale in the tool section of this forum, and it will be updated shortly.

Jim Rogers