If you're trying to pinch pennies to learn this craft, you may want to pick a different hobby. This is the equivalent of fishing, bowling, golfing, racing RC cars and skydiving combined as far as cost goes. Then throw in the dangers of working with machinery you probably don't have experience with. At least you can't lose any fingers while golfing or bowling, unless you're looking for your ball in a lake with alligators!
Honestly though, that is our reality!