Before I started with my addiction [read:turning] I spent several
months reading this newsgroup. I went out in October 2001 and bought a
Jet 1236 at the grand opening of a Woodcraft store in the north part
of Indianapolis - a 3 hour round trip from home I might add. Within a
month I had also purchased a dust collector, grinder for sharpening,
and a band saw. (Oh, I rechecked and it is a 12" bandsaw, not a 14"
for those who answered my query back a couple weeks ago about band saw
blades). This is not mention the chucks and other toys that make my
time in the basement more pleasurable. Bowls flowed from my tiny
shop and are now in Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and three
towns in China all holding snacks, change, car keys, oatmeal and lord
knows what all.
In late January I posted a request for penmaking kits and was amply
rewarded with several helpful replies. I ordered from both Packards
and the Woodturners Catalog and have been mightily pleased with the
products. Since receiving the shipments, I now have about 20 or so
pens with each a bit better than the one before. Such is betterment
through experience. I also see that a small drill press will be
needed. I've been looking at some Jet and a few items at Enco and all
seem to be adequate to the task as well as leaving a bit of room for
expansion.

Now, I have another question to pose. Where the heck is this hobby
going to lead next? I've a sneaking suspicion that the path I have
followed thus far has been trod by many here. Perhaps not bowls to
pens; maybe pens to bowls. Is there a third stop on this journey?