Hi XR8beast, and welcome it certainly is very rewarding making the telescope your self and I would go with everything mhodson told you especially with the long focal ratio mirrors.
The hardest part of optical design would have to be the figuring of the primary mirror.
I think the best way to go for your first telescope would be the Dobsonian design with a Alt/Az axis.
Be warned you will suffer from apeture fever after your fist telescope.
In any case we are here to serve and any questions you may have we'll be glad to answer.
