First, since I am new at this one, is there an easier way to post a message without emailing it?in, if so, please post.

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I live in Southeast Texas, I am 50, was introduced to machining back in the 60's at the high school shop.? Marine Corps for a short, worked for one of Texaco's largest refinery's for 13 yrs, laid off in '84 (some of you older ones will remember the down turn in the oil industry), and have been working since '86 for the TX Army National Guard, will soon retire from that - only to find another job (unfortunately retirement pay isn't all that great) no complaints, kept a roof over my head, and most of the time a full belly.

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Can't rightly remember when I got my little 9"SB, not a machinist by trade, but will be my next career, though, probably until the end.? Really enjoy the machining, also, do wood working as well.

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Unfortunately, this area is the "oil country" and most surplus/used machinery is large, unlike the common smaller ones (atlas/SB) that can be found up North (envy).

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Finding the 9" was a stroke of luck, it was an estate sale, a bench model, and it was all in pieces.? Over time have added a double pedestal cabinet, made wood draws for the larger pedestal, just never got around to the other, yet.? The 9" has been under constant refurbishing since I got it.? Believe in keeping it up, and since it is of the type that has non-harden ways, it'll wear fast.? It's nice to have a lathe at home for odd jobs.?

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Enough.? It is nice to have a group of SB enthusiast.

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Carl