Thanks for the compliments.
The scope is still a work in progress as im working on a dsc stalk, shroud, and battery mounts and electrics atm.
The scope was built mainly on weekends, maybe 4 hours per week for a total off 3/4 months. Even though it looks just like a wooden box to many, there are so many little pieces you have to make, bolts to source, especially for the UTA.
The UTA was the most time consuming for me as I made everything including the spider from scratch. In fact the only items I had to buy "off the shelf"
were:
16" mirror
Secondary mirrror/holder
4 pairs of trusses
JMI focuser
The time taken will vary depending on how many components you want to make from scratch versus how many you think you can make.
For example: I chose to make the side bearings myself and spent ages machining them, getting them symmetrical, calculating the dsc hole etc. On the other hand you can buy the bearings from obsession and save a heap of time.
Rough costs are as follows:
Plywood $400
Alimunimum poles $100
Glues/oils/finish $200
The rest of the costs vary to ones own taste.
Be prepared to fork out a fair bit for nuts and bolts too because there are heaps of the little buggers throughout the scope.
I was fortunate to be able to use all stainless bolts throughout at no cost to me because my employer is a nice guy and let me use his account.
Having said all this, my advice to you is go for it!!! If youre half decent with tools then you should have no problem. If you cant afford everything at once then just make small pieces a bit at a time until you gather the money.
There are plenty of things you need to make that arent so costly like : Spider, mirror cell, UTA etc....
At the end of the day everyone is right in saying it is very satisfying building your own. I was actually going to order an obsession from the states, but im so glad I ddint now and made my own. Just remember if you need help with some parts, then we are all here to help and give advice!!!!
Will give a proper review as soon as I get her to dark skys, which should be in a weeks time!!! I'm excited!!!!!!!
I bet you'll be wrapped! 
