just to add to my last post, one of THESE would be really nice for makin brackets and such.
Dallas, if you can at all find room for it, make sure Santa gets you a floor-mount drill press instead of a bench-top press (even with the stand).

You'll want at least 12 spindle speeds for better control in multiple metals, and the ability to stick huge parts in the maw of the machine is a HUGE benefit. Something like this is hardly more expensive and WAY more flexible:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=43378

If ya gotta have that radial functionality:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44846

Randii (hoping to help Santa)

Randy Burleson
4x4Wire Managing Editor Emeritus
Mongrel Isuzu Amigo