I think a person could do this restoration and walk away with less money in it. But...there are a lot of people out there that are completely fine with paying $1000-2000 too much to have something nice and done, and invest their time in other places. I dont think there is anything wrong with what he is doing.
I have talked to him about buying this machine (but I bought the diamond plate that was for sale last week). He has been very friendly to deal with and I am still considering his Centaur