There's obviously some strong opinions on the repair guilde's, personally I think it's a shame they aren't readily available any more but despite that nothing really beats hands on experience in my view. My thought was that I know I'd learn so much more and a lot quicker with the hands on experience with someone who actually knows what they're doing. Unfortunatly it doesn't seem that will happen but I now have a copy of parts 1,2 and 3 of the Bally guild so that's at least it's a start.
I also don't want to forget to mention this forum, without the advise and help I've found here I'd have ditched my first machine long ago and would never have gone looking for a second. So thanks to all who've answered my questions and helped out along the way. You can be sure it won't be the last time I ask for advice. Probably not even the last time this weekend.