Just remembered some of my earliest auto body work. Nothin more than a 4" angle grinder, acetylene torch, and hammer. Beat it close, tack it, heat it cherry red, massage it to shape. I once cut the corner out of a valve cover to patch a running board. Wish I had that energy still.

Ok, my edition to the hidden costs thread:

Just what does it take to build a box out of 3/4" ply?
Actually, it's a kitchen cabinet, so I'm trying to keep dimensions +/- 1/64".

My efforts produced a parallelogram. It's out of square 1/8". Oh well. On to the hidden cost!
3/4 horse skillsaw $75
Cheap tablesaw $150
Two carbide blades $50
Router, $75 (used)
Small carbide bit set $30
DeWalt 18V drill $250
Tri square $12
Carpenter square $15
Lots more odds and ends which easily add up to another hundred.

Over $700 to build a bloody box.