You may want to look in other areas. I was "collecting" watches[1] for years before I realized that I wanted to make watches. Because there was a 'purpose', I found myself with a desire to do more electronics projects to support my hobby.

My knowledge in that area (and software) gives me the leverage to make cheap-but-adequate tools that would cost $15-50k or more from watchmaker tooling companies.

[1] Basically, using my annual watch "budget" to buy a watch that had some unique or unusual attribute, not really collecting in the traditional sense.