Now you're talking my language!
And............Nice place Mel!
I am usually not even all that crazy for factory tools at all. Small shops and limited production, early prototypes, is one thing, but mass factory production usually leaves me pretty cold.
I don't really even care much if it's 1850's factory work.
I have worked in a couple factories and plants.
Once in a blue moon, the stars line up just right and everyone is healthy and happy and working like a team and good things happen.
But that is only occasionally.
The rest of the time its marginal pay, little respect, no appreciation, perpetual drudgery, vicious gossip. And most time is spent trying to backstab someone else to get ahead.
Because in a factory, everyone is really exactly the the same. All work at the same place, same hours, same routines, except some take home 100 times the pay.
So calling the atmosphere hostile is vastly underrating the situation.
And yes, I have been the lowliest employee and also the general manager at various times in my life.
Hand work though? Designer custom if you are trying to impress, and plain homemade if not (it means the same thing)....
Hand work can be either barely marginal work by a newbie or the most masterful work done on planet earth, or anywhere inbetween,
but its honest work.
Done by heart and hand and many times, no other reason.
Ohhhh baby, Thaaaats a what I like!
yours Scott