Wheelbuilding and working on existing wheels requires concentration, patience, and dexterity. In your place I would go down to the Goodwill or Salvation Army thrift stores or local bike shops and get some old trash wheels and tear them down and then rebuild them to see if you have aptitude for it and it suits you. It is definitely not for everybody--it's not complicated, but it is tedious.

Sure you can probably jury-rig a truing stand and a dishing tool, but as you advance you will eventually need a good set of equipment. I just recently moved to the Park TS2.2 truing stand. I also bought the dial gauge set (against my better judgement) and I am pleasantly surprised to find that I love it and it is infinitely easier and faster than trying to true by eye or feel.