If you can't afford to join the AMA and the local club, maybe this isn't the right hobby right now. Fuel costs money. Repairs cost money. $15/gallon for fuel, $10 for a roll of covering, cost of glues for subsequent repairs. And if you go it alone, chances are you'll be doing a lot of those.

You're spending $1 to save a nickel. Put your money into the AMA and a club, and you'll save yourself a lot more money in the long run.

Brad