Costs aren't all that high, depending on what kind of work you want to do. Anything CNC is pricey, but you can set up shop with a manual mill and lathe, welder, plasma, torches, etc for $20k. I'm not saying that's cheap, but if you're making money with it, the gear pays for itself pretty fast.
Is there any interest in a Zelda shield? I had originally planned to make one to go with the sword, but that didn't happen because I ran out of time. I don't know if anyone would want just the shield.