One of those "aw, shucks" columnists documents the restoration of an old Allis Chalmers tractor.

Entertaining enough, and a good characterization of what leads a guy to start accumulating old iron for repair and restoration, or just out of downright curiosity.

On the Internet (circa 1997):

What I mostly saw was people wasting way too much time and energy arguing about a $40 tool when they could have just bought the damned thing and gone to work in their shops.

I'm looking at you, Hobby-Machinist forums. ( )