Another great year

[Andy Howell]

I have really enjoyed another year working with all of you. Once again
I've learned from the students as I've mentored; rewarding for all involved.

I regret I won't be able to make the Banquet. I'll be driving with my
wife and son cross country as we bring his car back from collage in NY.

Over the next few weeks we'll work out summer plans. There are a number
of projects that need doing: tear-down and repair the jet lathe, finally
commission the new mill, fix and paint the panel saw, clean and
re-organize the shop etc.

Speaking of the panel saw, we need to make a stand for it. I'll need a a
few students that want to learn about welding to help out. We'll make a
tilted stand for it out of 2x2 steel tubing. This guy has had a tough
life, but we'll be able to make it work for next year. I've made most of
the parts we need, the rest we'll make in the shop. It will make cutting
up big sheets for prototyping and field construction a lot easier. See
Picture for its current state.

I'll also be offering some classes as I have done for the last couple
summers. These will cover the basics of how to run the lathe and mill
and other tools in the the shop. This year I'm hoping that students that
already have those skills will step up and help teach. I'll help them
learn more advanced skills. Again, more details in the coming weeks.

Thanks again for a great year.

Andy