Denise, I agree with everything you have said. I haven't made the leap into hand coating yet but Ron has allowed me to test and evaluate his silver chloride contact printing emulsion. I can say from first-hand experience that it works. The second thing I can say about it first-hand is that consistency from batch to batch is attainable. Bear in mind, its Ron doing making the emulsion and coating the paper, not me. I'm sure the learning curve is steep.
All that aside, this does open up a new dimension to the art that hasn't been used much for a good hundred years. My fullest support to everyone who tries it.
Maybe I'm just using the lack of dedicated space as an excuse. I'm sure Goldfarb has been cookin' emulsion there in his Manhattan apartment. If he can do it there, anyone should be able to do it.
