I am a retired production caster, I still do some CAD/CAM work and cast a piece every once in a while. Now I am an assistant instructor at a local Technical Education Center, I teach Machine Tool Technology, (Machine Shop/Tool and Die)I have been a member of Orchid before, and just closed my shop (Shadras) since I haven't done much in the past year, as I said I still do a little work but only for my own amusement. I enjoy teaching far more than I did doing production. The pay isn't as good but the rewards of watching young adults and recent High School students blossom into skilled Tradesmen/Craftsmen (sorry if some find this to be a politically incorrect description). We currently have one very adept young lady in my class and another one coming in soon, and just graduated one , who was one of the best craftsmen I've had the pleasure of working with. I work with Rhino 3D, AutoCAD FeatureCAM, and several lower cost but very adept CAM programs. Perhaps I will return to doing some hand fabricated Southwestern style jewelry if time permits. I still make some Dichroic glass, and am looking forward to getting back to my Lapidary work, I used to really enjoy that, especially the rare Jaspers and less common Agates, (Opal ain't bad either) just hard to find any dealers here in west Tennessee, Yeh I know about Tucson, but I'm afraid if I went back to the west, I'd never come back here, not even for my students that I enjoy so much.. Good to be back on Orchid, I look forward to reading some of the spirited discussions and informative opinions which have helped me in the past Respectfully Kenneth Ferrell