astrx- Stock series"- frames built to a size spec but not solely intended for any one in paticular. Another words just like the big companies do. You could add some sizing options like a long and short TT on each size. Others have done this before. Bill Boston comes to mind.

I agree with them that said that the more you bring to a class the more you get out of it. Doug Fattic would dissagree though. He feels that starting your efforts with good practice is better then trying to un learn bad before moving onto the good. So there are the both sides of that point.

There are so many who feel that getting into building requires a large out lay for tooling. They are the people that haven't done it yet. Newbies see the online photos of the established builders and assume that's what makes them successful. Some of this process (learning to build) is getting good with doing things. Less is how the steps are done but more how to do what ever steps you do well and efficiently. For the cost of a class and all that goes with it you can get set up with basic tools and start your practicing. No need for a jig, mill, lathe (but they are cool), sandblaster. The biggest first tool I'd get is a 3x4 surface plate with a good vice (or two), hand drill, a bunch of files, tube blocks (that you can make with your vice and drill), some measuring devices. As you progress you'll learn what tooling you can get the most value out of.

As others have said many times before the time to build/practice is a greater need then the speed that you do it at. The ability to problem solve and create inexpensive tooling (braze on fixtures as an example) is a skill that you'll always need, reguardless of the power tools you do or don't have. Andy.