Originally Posted by
knobster
I'd love to build my own wheels, but buying the tools and the parts would be more than paying someone to do it and I really doubt I'd use the tools enough to justify the purchase. (truth is I couldn't justify it to the wife.)
The only tool that's really needed is a spoke wrench - should be a couple bucks if you don't already have one. I did eventually spend another $10 for a cheap truing stand, but only after I'd built, or rebuilt quite a few wheels. The stand makes it a bit more convenient and faster, but is certainly not essential.