Doug,
Looks like you have most of the woodworking tools you need but I do not see and Powermatic in there. Well actually you do in a sense because now Jet and PM are together. A huge misconception people seem to have is age means low quality. As of of now Delta no longer makes a planer that will standup to heavy use. I am sure your 4 post DC-380 works fine for what you use it for and may last for you but they have never worked for me. I know it is tough to justify $12,000 for a new Powermatic planer, trust me I have tried. As of now my 40 year old Rockwell 18" wedgebed is being used about 4 hours a day 6-7 days a week. It is da"" tough to beat time proven Powermatic, Oliver, and Northfield equipment. When we were looking for a moulder one piece of advice we got was there was no replacement for iron, "get a big and heavy one" We looked at Mattison's, Diehl's, and others but ended up with a XL. It walked across the floor and ended up leaving quickly. My brother ended up getting a new $35,000 Weinig.
How are the Industrial Technology progarms in your local High Schools. I hope they have not went away like the ones around here. It is sad to see what has happened to tech progarms in the school systems. Many people like to place the blame on politicians but most all schools still are controlled by a 7 member community board. The responibility lies on them. If I can remeber it I will post some pics of the shops I work out of here. We still have a few left but they are dying fast. I am doing my best to maintain what we have left but I am fighting an steep uphill battle.
Just my random thoughts,
Bill
