Most of those folks with gobs of tools either have a relationship with a toolmaker or they're intentionally selling the tools. What we don't know is what they do - what promoted gadgets generate the most revenue. Little safety devices and jigs are a beginner's trap for beginners who are nest building, and I'd imagine they're wildly good for things like amazon pass through links because they're below a "cold buy" price level - something a video viewer won't pause about if they're in a buying mood.
When you look back at older magazines, you get the flavor that they were doing the same thing (an article using something new, and then information on where to buy), but it was more subtle in some ways, and less in others. Credibility from writers was a bigger issue for the magazine because they didn't want a passing-through viewer to look at one article, make a quick buy, etc, they needed subscribers and advertisers and a way to keep the subscribership number high as publishing the magazine itself was actually worth something.
Not sure what part timers do and with what, but even a good mortiser, moulder, slider, etc, is a stretch for someone starting a business. There are tons of sliders and shapers here (in the US) from small ships who overextended themselves and went out of business. Hobbyists tend to see what a business like that will do and assume that it's needed to be a serious hobbyist (vs. the real root of most of the successful makers that I've come across - either outright need and starting from a low budget, or a burning desire - for the fine workers - to really make something fine).
).
