Yeah, I know about specialty equipment - I work in a hospital and see tools and hardware that are used in orthopedics that cost an arm and a leg. Not as pricey as NASA spec, but still high. Understandable to an extent, but I think the "speccers" often go overboard, and the "specees" take advantage by inflating prices far beyond the extra costs.

Too bad there isn't a "wild west" for space, where people are allowed to take chances with willing participants (keeping public safety in mind) and using more prosaic and less expensive (but still good) tools and hardware - CATS!
(I know it won't happen)