The long, ever faster decline of machining skills in the USA

&gt; Even worse, when the one shop that will grind the cranks the way we tell them we need them loses their crank grinder to retirement in another year or two, they do not plan to replace him.<p>Given this reason, it seems like the core cause is that it is niche work of declining relevance.

Is this at least partially the product of a culture of disposable goods? People would rather buy a new TV every few years than fix them. As wasteful as it seems, people seem to choose this option more and more with their purchase habits. Cars get more modular and less repairable every year. One day, if&#x2F;when cheap replacements are no longer available, we might adapt. Or we might be sorry.

&quot;The long, ever faster decline of machinist pay in the USA&quot;<p>&quot;The long, ever faster decline of management skills in machining&quot;