Can't answer all, but some
1) I charge for my time, 30 minute minimum,design time, finishing time, the time to set up the machine and clean it up afterwards and wear and tear on machine.
I figure in the carving medium I am working with. I figure the gas to go get it, or shipping. Figure everything. I know the amount I want to make an hour. I then add all the rest in. I happen to do mine by the project. Keeps me honest and the client less scared of my tacking on an extra hour.
I did do research and figured out what my particular maket would pay without "bulking". It happens to fit into me doing OK.
2)The machine is very loud. If you have ever used a heavy duty router, it is like that, only running for 2 to 6 hours straight. I will not run mine past 8:00 PM out of respect for my neighbors and I won't start it before 8:00 AM. My machine is in a 12x24 shop. solid wood exterior, R-15 insulation in walls, R-19 in ceiling and 1/2" sheetrock taped and sanded. I can still hear my machine running with all doors and windows shut in both the shed and house while I am in the house.
3)Paying for itself will depend on you. Can you sell your product? Is it a product that will sell well? Can you make a quality product? The machine only carves what is put into it. Bad pattern in, bad carving out. The bits are of great quality I have done tons of signs and lithographs and mine are still sharp, well except for the one that got in to middle if the cat and dog fight, but it just broke when it hit the floor.
4) It makes lots of dust. But with a proper setup, as twinpeaks said, you would be fine.
Ask the cabinet makers.
I will give you this suggestion, if you are buying this to make a full living on, don't. This is a hobby machine. Small projects, etc. It is slow but a very nice machine. You will not compete with shops with full blown CNC setups.
There are some of us who make money with them, but most of us bought them for our own use and the selling of work snuck in.
In other words, we were going to spend the $2,000.00 anyway, even if we never sold an item.
Hope I answered your questions and still kept you interested in the CW machine. It is a truly "kewl" machine.
Ed
A person has to know their limitations, I know I have none..