Should I buy pad printing equipment for my business?

I am looking for help and advice. I currently sell products that are delivered on USB Plash Drives. I outsource the printing on these drives and occasionally on the metal box that they come in. I also sell some custom MP3 Players that I have logos printed on. The cost of outsourcing isn't terrible, but I lose some control and the ability to offer rush delivery or even samples.

I have no experience in printing. My business is picking up, I could have several hundred thousand drive sales over the next 12 months, and I need to print hundreds if not thousands of logos on them.

Can someone please answer a few questions:

How difficult is it to operate pad printing equipment?
How difficult is it to create plates?
What about mixing ink?
What are the costs I can expect to incur for a good system?
What about ink, and other costs I should consider?

I don't pay a lot for prining now, but it often takes 3-4 weeks to get a job in and I like having the control inhouse if it is cost effective and I can do a professional job.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Tim- Owner- Band In A Flash