@Chocolot thank you so much for responding with your expertise. I've yet to make a single fondant cream center so you're right, I'm not about to go down the cream beater and Savage furnace road. If I had a retail shop it could be a fun piece of vintage decor, but I'll pass for now.
edited to add: if you come across anyone looking for one, tell them there's one in Seattle (though I did not inquire about price) ... very useful for the right person