Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart

I started a reply last night and deleted it, would have been one of the first replies but decided these types of questions don't really have right answers, just experiences and opinions. Like the discussions of what is art VS craft these questions are best held with some social lubricant being consumed

My professional life has been in the bike shop (OK there were a couple of off season ski shop jobs) since the 1970s. And I was (mostly still am) an active rider, often with our local club. As such I felt I had an obligation to keep my bikes in tip top condition, no cobbler's kids here. But I will say that about 20 years ago I decided to move on from cup and cone (mostly Campy) bearings to cartridge ones to reduce the amount of bearing servicing I was doing.

My main hobby developed directly from the LBS job and riding, making bike frames. Oh early on I played with being a "pro builder", but each time soon realized that I didn't want to turn sour on building and thus kept it as something special. beside wives there are only a few people riding one of my frames and that's fine. I fabricate for the feel, not the finances. I don't have to justify my tool purchases with off setting sales. I can spend as much time just looking at the project in front of me as I like. The couple of times I was being paid by the hour in some shop to braze, file and sand I never felt the freedom I have now in making stuff.

I agree with the value and "strength" that having some hobby can bring you. Besides bike stuff fabrication I enjoy growing specific types of hot peppers, spending time with our cat and helping out other budding fabricators. Andy