If you were interviewing Ben Heck, what would you ask him?

What advice do you have for people that neither have the tools and equipment you have, nor live close enough to take advantage ofa well stocked makerspace? I ask because there has to be a large percentage of viewers that want to do what you do, but don't have ready access to the variety of tools you have, or a 3d printer, or a CnC machine, or the like.

There are always more manual methods for the things Ben makes. Rotary(like Dremel) and other powered hand tools can be used to do some of the laser cutting and routing he does. As for the 3D printing: carving foam, making molds, and casting out of stiffer material is the next best option, though it is slower and frequently less precise. It does give you more options for materials that the object can be made of, though. A lot can be done with precise measuring and an X-acto blade.

If you don't have access to big fancy machines, check online for tutorials for the slower methods, or figure out how much use you might get out of a CNC machine and consider the investment. Even if there isn't a local makerspace, there may be other makers in your area that would be interested in splitting the cost of a CNC machine. Maybe try talking to your local library about either starting a maker meetup or convincing the library to buy a 3D printer that you might be able to use.

There are always more manual methods for the things Ben makes. Rotary(like Dremel) and other powered hand tools can be used to do some of the laser cutting and routing he does. As for the 3D printing: carving foam, making molds, and casting out of stiffer material is the next best option, though it is slower and frequently less precise. It does give you more options for materials that the object can be made of, though. A lot can be done with precise measuring and an X-acto blade.

If you don't have access to big fancy machines, check online for tutorials for the slower methods, or figure out how much use you might get out of a CNC machine and consider the investment. Even if there isn't a local makerspace, there may be other makers in your area that would be interested in splitting the cost of a CNC machine. Maybe try talking to your local library about either starting a maker meetup or convincing the library to buy a 3D printer that you might be able to use.