I have about 200 bucks wrapped up in the tools so far.
The template is the most expensive, it is a tick over 100 bucks. But you can find them used on ebay and other online auctions I'm sure.
I know I will be selling mine to a friend when I'm done.
I tell everyone that asks the following.
-You will not be a pro at first, don't expect to be!
-You will mess up a couple turnouts, but don't let that mess with you.
-Once you get comfy with the setup, you will pump out turnouts in a 30-40 minute time span and they work perfect!
Don't let cost set you aside, you can easily pump out 20 to 30 turnouts in little time and money and easily pay for the cost of what you would have with Peco/Walthers/Atlas turnouts.
Another thing, if you stick a NMRA gauge on any of the name brand turnouts, none of them are to gauge! The Fast Track turnouts are to gauge every time I've build one.
The biggest thing is getting the points right, if they don't set right, then you won't have a good turnout. Once you figure that one out, you are fine and they are operationally the best turnouts.