Why build when you can rent?! I've been watching their progress and it looks like Techshop is finally open in Portland (near Washington Square). Looks like they have pretty much any tool you'd need and classes to show you how to use them. A friend just finished a woodworking class there and gave it a thumbs up. I'm thinking about at least trying the first month special but I don't have a project in mind.
http://portlandtechshop.com/