I would like to suggest that we have a " Tool and Equipment" Section on the TRB Forum...so we can share what equipment we are using and show the beginners they don't have to spend a fortune on equipment !!... I would say 75% of my equipment is homemade...
I agree, when I started I did not want to invest a lot money in case I did not like building rods or wasn't any good at it. I built everything except my rod dryer, it was cheap enough and something I needed right away. Money saved on equipment buys more supplies.