I guess I'm the fortunate one here, I've picked up most of my equipment for little or nothing. Kinda along the lines that Bronson spoke of, I helped some guys when I was younger and they just dumped their equipment off on me when they gave it up. Sure I've bought some production jig molds but that's about it, I've cut some spoon molds cause you just can't buy what you want. Lead all of my lead has been free, I buy my paint by the pound and hooks, there's the kicker. Finding hooks cheaper than the next guy (if your selling) can be the difference, as well as your painting method. I started because it became impossible to find quality hooks in my jigheads around my hometown. Then it was so theraputic, molten lead is mesmerizing, I would try to see how fast I could pour a 1000 box of hooks. I was just about to make an upgrade and really go all out and buy a spincaster (centrifuge casting) when the EPA crap last summer hit. It flat killed my ambition, now I pour specialty heads, lead spoons for money. There isn't much profit for roundheads anymore between the casters and the Chinese they've driven the price down. When I started a 100 1/8 jigheads were $10 unpainted, now it's about $7 with bronze hooks. Then there's painting them, that's were you can spend some $$$, powder isn't the most profitable and the investment for liquid can be expensive, or not depending on what your times worth. Basically, if you can get your stuff free and some "gas" money by selling your friends, then you've done pretty good IMHO which I have plenty of. BUT, there is a sense of satisfaction and it's priceless!!!!