Sad to hear that you haven't been well, Velonomad, best wishes for a good year this year!

I've heard it said that Joe Bringheli (bringheli.com) does a first rate frame for around 500. Apparently at that price it's unfinished, but if you are planing on proceeeding from raw, that shouldn't be a problem.

I think I figured out a way to make a frame without frame prep tools. It's a little unorthodox but it should work. On the other hand, i just bought the bottom bracket tools, so I probably won't be using this method myself.