OP Here: Sharing this as I was just reading through the camera lens repair article on the front page:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48420148

And it made me wonder about a what pathways are still available for a HeathKit-ish revival. Between ESP flashers, swapping from really busted up originals for parts, and hacking for a new use...seems like there is already a culture out there waiting for another "accident" like Heathkit to happen.

I'll be noodling on this in the notebook for sure. Listing resources, possible kits, allies, etc.