All MetalShaping - Hello from Hickory, NC

I used to work at a huge machine tool dealership that served the US, Canada, and Mexico. From about 1990 to 2005 things were great. I mainly handled the Accurpress line(press brakes and shears) out of Vancouver BC Canada.

In May 05, my boss decides to drop Accurpress for a cheaper line of press brakes from Turkey. I decided to go Accurpress Independent from that point on. Some of my memorable times were repairing a 130-ton 8' Accurpress on a Battleship at sea. I repaired a 1/4 x 8' Accurshear for the FBI. I installed a 5' x 12' Calypso single head water jet for the Norfolk Naval Weapon Station. Ship Yards, Corning, NASA, Volvo, too many to mention.
The smallest press brake I have installed was a 25-ton x 4', 7 Axis and the largest was a 1200-ton x 24', 5 Axis.
The smallest shear was a 10GA x 4' and the largest was a 3/4 x 20'.
I'm really starting to get old and I'm slowing down quite a bit. I still have all ten fingers (knock on wood) but my knees are shot.
The new wireless pedestal controls and non-serviceable electronics are getting to be too much for me. I have installed over 500 press brakes and shears and really understand the pre 2010 machines. I might let the young guns take over with these new Green Machines.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...2-2px1gXRGd368