I have a spreadsheet to track costs. I use it to keep the "as long as I'm already paying shipping" impulse in check. Even excluding maintenance, we blew past the $3k mark like a rocket sled on rails.
Many hobbies are just as or more expensive. It's a great feeling to go out and use my hands and see some immediate progress. And I've enjoyed showing the vintage technology to my boys.
The ROI, intrinsically, has been great.
