Not arguing, it's just my opinion.
If this is the type of thing you find to be fun, that's great.
Oh wait, I'm repeating myself but you guys don't seem to listen.
There are many reasons, which I won't get into, why we no longer make these machines from wood. Whether or not you make it yourself, doesn't make it any more viable, if it did, we would see many more of them. as "hobbyists would be building them to save money.
I'm not sure who brought up "hobby" into this conversation but;
"an hourly rate below minimum wage"
If you're a "hobby" woodworker and don't keep track of time or materials, that may be true.
If you are skilled woodworker and sell things at a premium price, that's a whole different story.