Most anyone can. They are plentiful, available, and reasonably inexpensive at entry points. To include used. Smithy lathe/mills have been made forever, and are readily available used. CAD software is reachable, as is CNC for those looking for repeatability. Machining is both a skill and a craft - the long pole in the tent is skills and knowledge development.
The maker movement has been an improvement, from the downward dumb-down direction we've gone toward since the 70's I imagine. We have a local multi-location maker space that is non-profit and well equipped. Some of those fail. And unfortunately much of the work is people making "crafts" (e.g., charcuterie boards
). But there are very knowledgeable people in play, and willing to give time to the burgeoningly curious. The 4x8 CNC gets mostly used for people making their version of Ikea furniture. So it's not all a panacea. But there has never been a better time for machines, tooling, etc being reachable by the person willing to put their shoulder to the crafts. As we like to say in the shop, "let the work teach you."
My apologies in advance for going off-topic. Conversation best for another thread I suppose! And I'm sure
@TheOE800 you know all of the above. Just saying it out loud.
