Rick, I just noticed your signature (is it new or did I miss it when I replied before?) and I couldn't agree more with your statement. That's the entire reason I started this site, to help open the metalworking to a larger (and hopefully younger) audience.

As you can probably tell by my profile picture, I'm in the younger category. I got started in machining a few years ago by chance and because of the frustration I felt whenever something metal broke around the house (normally I fix everything broken, but metal manipulation used to be beyond my reach).

The first thing I did was start googling metalworking. So while all my friends were browsing forums and sites about X-Box or PS3 Games, I was searching for sites and forums about machining. I was surprised at how limited the selection was. Sure there are a dozen or so amazing metalworking sites with lots of information. But there are thousands of similar woodworking sites, and tens of thousands of good gaming sites. So why such a shortage in machining sites? I don't know. Perhaps because some of the old-timers that have all the knowlegde would rather run a lathe than code HTML.

Anyway, that's why I started ProjectsInMetal – to serve as a repository of information for people who are new to metalworking. It's been a little slow-going lately because I've been pretty busy with work but my vision for this site is twofold. (1) A site with lots of fun and exciting projects updated weekly, and (2) a lively forum with daily chatter about metalworking.

And all of it for free.

Anyway, it sounds like you share my vision to some degree, so thank you. The next time you're talking to a young person about metalworking, refer them to the site. Maybe … just maybe … I can help them catch the machining bug. That's my goal!

Hi Rick, I had to laugh a little when I read that you like to play with Autocad, Turbocad, and Inventor, but struggle with forums. I'm precisely the other way around. It took me days to learn enough autocad to draw up the plans for the MT3 Die holder found here. Next time I'll be calling you for help! :D

Ok, a few things. There's a much easier way to upload pictures to the forum. Instead of putting them in your signature you can use the Insert/Edit image link. I put together a short tutorial here.

If you want to use an image in your signature (which is totally fine) you might want to use a smaller one. You've got the right idea by using a link to an image, but your image is just a bit oversized.

Also, unlike many forums where you can reply to the e-mail notifications that you recieve, this forum isn't set up that way. In fact, tyleryoungblood@projectsinmetal.com isn't even a working e-mail (I've never set it up). The forum management software I use (SimplePress) doesn't have this reply-to-email capability, but it would be nice if it did. Maybe in a future release. So for now you'll have to log back into the forum to leave a reply.

And finally, I'd suggest turning on auto-subscribe (if you haven't done so already). Directions on how to do that can be found in my signature.

And lastly, if you need someone to shrink a picture to 50x50 for your profile I can send you a PM with my e-mail address. I'd be happy to shrink a pic for you.

Anyway, I'm glad to have you on board, especially with your Autodesk experience!