whoaaa doggies!
Looks like I may be able to buy a brand new* winder for $6000 (originally $15,000ish), exactly same as mine. The ex-US distributor still has one available. about 7 years old, never been used, and he'll part with it cheap.
He's also still in touch with some of the engineers who worked there previously, and they've got access to replacement parts it looks like. The company is down to four people due to management issues apparently.
Add that to the one shipping from Romania that I picked up for $1200ish, and I could go to a three-winder setup. Hire and train two more people...