3 ms·

Not nowadays, it always was like that. Nothing is different today.

• ElevenLathe 5d ago
  I don't see how that holds. Detroit and other cities it we're once filled with skilled machinists, pattern makers, carpenters, pipefitters, etc. Now they're not. None of this has anything to do with what those people did for fun in their spare time (and you're right: that was rarely "the same thing I do at work but in my garage"). We are certainly deskilled in these areas compared to times in decades past.
  • bluGill 5d ago
    Sherline made tools for hobbyist. While they were high quality such that a professional could use them, professionals typically would buy larger more expensive machines (which can still to the small jobs when that is they got, but could also take on larger work the Sherline couldn't handle). The the hobbyist in the garage needs to be the topic here, not professionals. The hobbyist enjoying things in the garage still exists, but is still rare. Those that do the work are skilled. If you want to join them there are plenty of books on the subject, it just takes some practice to develop the skills. Industry is of course deskilled.