Originally Posted by
repechage
the demise of industrial education ( shop classes) have hollowed out the pool of capable, or aware people. This will extend the learning unless very gifted.
All I remember from 8th-grade shop class in my public junior high in suburban New Jersey is that one could make a ring by starting with a large nut and using a grinding wheel and that power saws could take off a finger or two if you’re not careful.
As far as the nostalgia for old times, I guess you didn’t hear about the “maker space” movement of the last 10 years. I count five such facilities within 5 miles of my house, all with a much lower barrier to entry than my 8th-grade shop class.