1- Are there any helpful books, you-tube videos, web-sites that are helpful?
Park-Tool Site, Sheldon Brown, Even here I found most of the people are very helpful if you can keep your questions straight forward/specific and provide pics to help show what your problem/question is.
2 - Where does one start when wanting to do a build-up?
Again peruse this site and see what others have done.
3 - Are parts readily available?
Depends on how much money you want to spend.
4 - Is this a more cost effective way to get on a nice bike?
Probably not.
5 - Am I nuts to even try?
Welcome to the club, but try not to use the word nuts, it get some of the older curmudgeons scrambling around like blind squirrels.