Some very beautiful work and great advice here =D> I started building my own a few years ago.. it is nearly as addicting as fishing itself.. As others have mentioned, you won't necessarily save much over factory rods.. especially at first if you outlay some $$ for equipment to get started.. But you will certainly be able to build something suited to you exactly, and get a great deal of satisfaction from catching fish on your own creations..And if you get good at it, you can make back some $ building for others, and doing repairs.. The internet is a blessing these days.. loaded with great instructional material on rodbuilding and making your own tools/equipment.. and it really is quite easy once you get the hang of a few things..In addition to being able to really fine tune the setup of a rod for a particular application and individual, its also a lot of fun to express your individuality with the decorative touches for a true custom look.. My eyesight is pretty bad, and I have a hard time with the fine decorative thread work.. so I been blinging up my rods using different materials like abalone, snakeskin, marbling etc. to get some cool looks.. At any rate, it is something you can at least sample without really needing to buy too much in the way of equipment.. If you decide you like it, then you can pick up a decent power wrapper/dryer setup and really take off.. One of my favorite elements is turning nice cork/eva grips.. for which you really need a lathe/wrapper.. but guys still turn out great rods from V-cuts in a cardboard box, and simple hand tools.. Here's are a few of mine:
Seeker Hercules inshore lite (72L) - spiral wrapped-(as are most my conventionals) w/ prairie rattlesnake-
Another Seeker Hercules- w/ abalone, + Mudhole special vert. Jigger series blank on spinner in background
another + of building your own is getting perfect balance with the reel you choose-
Loomis Gl3 -more abalone
Seeker "Supertog" w/diamondback rattler
One for the ladies.. Pink CRB blank from Mudhole
One last Seeker Hercules 72L-(Love this blank.. super versatile for the saltwater fishing i do here in the NE. ) with diamondback-