I do think that alot of these planes are being built more of an "assembly line" production than years past. I have read that some factorys are shrinking the covering in furnaces, not with individuals using irons and hand tools. I also do think the more expensive planes are still mostly built by hand and it shows. Lets face it Hanger 9 sells alot of very resonably if not cheap planes and if it takes some extra work from me to keep the price down I don't mind it. If I decide I want a higher priced better built plane I know where I can get them too.