Bicycle Mechanics - Wheel Truing

I got my bike shipped to me this week and my rear wheel was a little banged out of true. I dont know how to true wheels so I take it to a shop near here. $9 for about 5 minutes of work for a wheel not that far out of whack. I do have a nipple wrench on my multi-tool. My question is how hard is it to true a wheel? Is there a good website/book someone could recommend? Is it really necessary to have a truing stand or can you eyeball it pretty well? My wheels are standard nipples and spokes, 28 spoke build front and rear so no bladed spoke or paired spoke issues. Thanks in advance.

I got my bike shipped to me this week and my rear wheel was a little banged out of true. I dont know how to true wheels so I take it to a shop near here. $9 for about 5 minutes of work for a wheel not that far out of whack. I do have a nipple wrench on my multi-tool. My question is how hard is it to true a wheel? Is there a good website/book someone could recommend? Is it really necessary to have a truing stand or can you eyeball it pretty well? My wheels are standard nipples and spokes, 28 spoke build front and rear so no bladed spoke or paired spoke issues. Thanks in advance.$9 is nothing compared to what I've had charge to fix wheels that some novice has futzed around with - overtensioned spokes and all.
Truing is an art form - you have to get the feel for it. Spoke wrenchs on multi-tools are emergency use only kind of things and yes a truing stand is a big help. You can do some rudimentary truing on the bike but if you want it done right you'll want a truing stand. .

Buy some standalone spoke wrenches and a trueing stand. I agree that truing wheels is an art, but like most things practice makes (somewhat) perfect. You can never learn to much, so learn how to true wheels. It helps to start with junk wheels you find in the trash, but once you feel comfortable start on your own bike.

Ray