Greetings from Newark, DE! I am a new member who has also subscribed to First State Woodturners. I have exactly zero experience in using a lathe for anything other than collecting dust in my basement. About 2 years ago, a friend gave me an aged Grizzly G-1025. It works and it’s green. Other than that, I know nothing about my lathe or woodturning. But I love the creativity and skill demonstrated by turners at various craft fairs, and always think to myself, “I could do that!” Having retired from teaching high school chemistry, I think that the time has come to learn woodturning. However, I suspect that this “gift” of a lathe will be analogous to the gift of a St Barnard puppy: just wait until the vet and dog food bills start showing up! Anyway, if you wish to observe a raw beginner fumble his way into the world of woodturning and enjoy first modest successes, while smiling inwardly at amateur mistakes, well, stay tuned! Thank you in advance for any suggestions, answers, and encouragement from the group.