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.
Look up junk haulers and estate clean-out guys in your area, and let them know what you’re interested in. They’ll send you pictures of cybertrash they find. If you develop a good relationship with one of those dudes, it might lead to them giving you a private pick of an entire estate. You can also get off your duff and interface with other humans in person. Go to flea markets and give the sellers there your business card and your price schedule. Do the same at antique stores. Or if you’re at a garage sale, and you notice that the people having the sale are of a certain age, ask if they have any technogarbage they’d like to be rid of.