You could do plugs in slices, with an indexing hole to let you stack the pieces on a tube or dowel for final alignment and gluing together. It would still be a lot easier than shaping everything by hand, but not perfect.

$1900 is significant money, but look at what some people are spending on the big IMAC aircraft. Lots of them have enogh spare $$$ to easily justify having something like this in their basement. And I can see clubs or groups getting together to buy one and share.


Mark