If someone is trying to build this to save a few bucks and has no passion for building or tinkering, yeah, it is HIGHLY advised to not take on a project like this. But I'm pretty sure that group is quite small. Seriously, who dislikes building and tinkering and is looking at this going "Well... I can save $100 if I do it myself..."? Do they even have the skillset?!
For everyone else, I would be very surprised if they didn't have most of those things on hand or would gladly use this type of project as an excuse to buy more tools. That's how DIYers build up their tool chests, a series of excuses. But guess what, these are not one time things. I bought by 3d printer with an excuse and print tons of stuff. It's just how the hobby goes. Hell, I've torn apart a bunch of old electronics from Goodwill when I was teaching myself how to solder (highly recommend this btw), including how to microsolder. Why? For fun? I definitely don't get paid for it (though at one point I sometimes did).
And yes, people like to build and tinker as a hobby.
> I would be very surprised if they didn't have most of those things on hand
The thing with building stuff is that it feels like you are always missing something. Like, you have all sizes of screws, including some that look like they come from an alien spaceship, but not the one you need, so here goes another box of 100 for the 10 of them you will use in your lifetime.
> an excuse to buy more tools
It used to be the case for me. Not anymore for the simple reason that I live in an appartement and don't have a dedicated workshop and I feel like I am drowning in parts and tools. The worst part is that I actually may need all of them, but I don't know which one. It turns out that I finally used the turbo-encabulator that has been sitting on shelf for 15 years, and of course, I had to buy new marzlevane grease, as I didn't want to risk side fumbling.
And yes, I have that hobby, and I too like to pretend that I built that thing for dirt cheap, but the reality is that it cost me a lot more than I would have paid otherwise, that's the cost of having a hobby.
3D printing could be an exception though. I have printed plenty of small parts for essentially nothing (except time) that are almost impossible to find at a reasonable price. Also great for gifts, as you can make objects that are personalized and useful, enough to be appreciated, but cheaply and with limited (but non-zero) effort. I hesitated a long time before getting a 3D printer, because it is an investment and I couldn't think of many use cases at the time that didn't involve adding more clutter to my clutter, but it turned out I probably use it more than anything else.
I just want to check in. You doing okay? Sounds like the stress is getting to you. I get it, it’s been a tough week for me too and I know how the little things add up. I hope you can find time for a break
Don't worry, I am perfectly fine. Don't take my reply too seriously, I didn't mention the turbo-encabulator for nothing ;)
The part about a lack of space is serious though, it has always been a frustration, more than time and expenses. Not enough to warrant major changes in my life though, it is just a hobby among others.
Haha I totally get that. And I haven’t liked many of the 3D printing community solutions but being in grad school I haven’t had time to make modular versions that are parametrically defined. Or at least that’s my excuse lol
For everyone else, I would be very surprised if they didn't have most of those things on hand or would gladly use this type of project as an excuse to buy more tools. That's how DIYers build up their tool chests, a series of excuses. But guess what, these are not one time things. I bought by 3d printer with an excuse and print tons of stuff. It's just how the hobby goes. Hell, I've torn apart a bunch of old electronics from Goodwill when I was teaching myself how to solder (highly recommend this btw), including how to microsolder. Why? For fun? I definitely don't get paid for it (though at one point I sometimes did).
And yes, people like to build and tinker as a hobby.