When you average out the cost of tools over many thousands of flies, it doesn't work out to much.
Maybe that's the point I am missing. It depends how many you tie. I guess if you are like me and tie half a dozen here and there then you are financially better off to buy them. If you can tie thousands, then you would have to be ahead. I'd still like to see some figures, just for fun, on some relevent costings though.