I checked out buying one it appeared to be 100+37 shipping+25tip = 162 usd
I will likely run a 1 board s19 instead or a 2 board whatsminer m50
Can you just get these big industrial miners with not all boards populated? And what are the stats on these in terms of purchase price and power consumption per hashboard? Sounds like a good idea for home mining, if the reduced power draw / heat output means they can be run with lower fan speeds.
Or would you piece them together from existing gear you already own as someone more experienced and equipped in mining stuff?
They did already change it; I wrote about that on page 1. Lottery mining is definitely an option, or just mine 'at a loss' i.e. lose some $ compared to DCA, but help with decentralizing hashpower. See it as a cheap contribution to the stability of Bitcoin. Also consider you still 'get' the heat output, if you have a need for it.
If you live in a colder country, or in a colder region of the country, you will certainly enjoy it. But I live in an area of the country where, generally in winter, the lowest temperature is around 8-10º (during the day). And for example, a "heat wave" is expected next week, with temperatures expected to reach 24º in the middle of winter.
Therefore, it is rare to use a heater, which reduces the advantage this equipment would have.
I agree, especially when talking about this miner in particular, but think about water heating. Some people started replacing boilers and tankless water heaters with ASIC-based solutions, although to the best of my knowledge that's all still custom / DIY territory.