I am curious as to what machine tools you guys have found the most helpful....
I have been using my bandsaw a lot (imagine that!) but I also have found my small lathe and mid-mill pretty handy. I finished my english wheel about 2 months ago, and am actually getting pretty good at bending aluminum. the key word with the wheel is P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E!!! Oh...and you will learn to be wary of the wheels...if your fingers go in between (and they will..at least once) it's like hitting your finger with a hammer...except the hammer doesn't get off! I have added shorties to a few sites I have found VERY helpful....
www.tinmantech.com
www.mini-lathe.com
www.metalshapers.org