If I had to estimate my cost - excluding my time - I project that it will end up costing me aprox $670. Plus my machine will have added features like the ability to add fruit and/or nuts and a witty personality. Who knows, maybe once I get a prototype working I'll actually see if I can launch a kickstarter and manufacture them if people are crazy enough to spend $3500 on a pancake machine - I bet I could have a better working model that could sell for $250
another...less serious pancake cooking machine