The thing you have to remember about Stew Mac is that a lot of their tools are for luthiers and folks who run guitar repair shops, in other words, professionals. Hence the price of some of their equipment. The quicker and easier it is to get a job done the more work you can get. For someone who makes pick ups regularly the Schatten will pay its self off after some rewinding work.
Right tools for the right job.
It might make good sense for you to think about getting equipment like this if you intend to make your own pickups. Or start rewinding pick ups on the side for some extra cash.