"My point in posting was to try to explane that this activity does not have to be expensive. It all depends on your expectations and skills. Much of building is pretty basic blacksmithy. The hype and all is not. Some basic tools are needed to help make a frame. But pricy flat surfaces, pro jigs, measurment devices, power machines are not where good frames come from. They come from the craft of the builder."

Over the years there have been a lot of discussions about building at the cheapest level, using torches designed to strip paint etc... But assuming you want to do a base level job, you are talking a lot of money. Welders are in the 2000-4000 range new, A torch set-up new is probably 300, plus whatever gas cost locally, and in some places gas runs from expensive to not sold to private citizens. That is just for starters. You can build a catamaran with a drill driver, a polisher, a jigsaw, and some oversized tongue depressors.

There are two other factors:

Sure everything can be found second hand but for the most part I found out about all the best dodges and whether they worked by buying a lot o different things along the way. I know what you need and were to get it cheap, and you will know what I know after you spend the first 20K and 5 years.

And, the reality is that people who get sucked into this activity, as with any other hobby have certain perceptions in mind. So while people don't need jigs, mills or some other expensive tools, they go down the path of some level of professional gear, and they end up spending a lot more money than the cheaper path would imply.

People who mostly want just one bike, and the experience should run to a class and count themselves lucky. Classes are a very economical option for people who actually wanted the bike they built in class.