I’m all in for this hobby. For years now I’ve been messing around with emulation, but now I’m thinking about building the 486 computer I dreamed of when I was a little boy.
Is it me or people on eBay are overpricing their stuff?! Like… “Here’s literal garbage, haven’t tested it, no guarantees, that’ll be 300$. Oh and by the way you’re gonna get screwed again with shipping costs.” Sigh…
I feel like there’s no way to get into the hobby unless you either break the bank or you know someone who’s got spares to give away or sell.
Just a couple years ago, I could have pointed you in the direction of some really good recyclers that could get you enough parts to build a fun 486 or Socket 5/7-style machine, if you weren’t too picky about what you got. Unfortunately now the supply has either dried up or the recyclers think their extreme budget clone parts are solid gold. The only time I find parts now is when I stumble across them at thrift stores or estate sales.