Hi XR8,
There is another option available to you and its a great way to go for a 1st time scope builder and "mirror maker".
Having someone to call on for advice makes things a lot easier, an experienced telescope/mirror maker called Ron Royle runs a "Build Your Own Telescope Workshop" at Sydney Observatory. The cost is about $900 which covers all the tuition, guideance and materials to build a complete 8"/F7 dobsonian. The course runs 1 night per week for 3 hours for 8 consecutive weeks. For a 1st time builder this is a great way to go, Ron is very experienced and its "worth millions" to have someone standing by to call on all the time.
http://www.telescopes-astronomy.com....escopes033.htm
Here is a link to the kits Ron uses which are supplied by Mathew Lovell from Telescopes and Astronomy.
I couldn't actually find the link to Ron's webpage on the Sydney Observatory website so maybe its worth giving them a call on (02) 9241-3767 and asking them if Ron Royle still runs those courses. Maybe he now runs them privately and not in conjunction with Sydney Observatory. I know he ran them 2 years ago and ran them for 10 before that. Also Don Whiteman at the Binocular and Telescope shop may also be able to tell you if Ron is still doing those courses. Failing that I can ring Ron for you (I have his number somewhere) and ask him if/when he is going to run the next course if your interested ?
CS-John B