I'd recommend getting an arduino kit - this can double up as the programmer, so it's not a waste, also handy if you're not that into software (I am, hardware's a secondary thing to me)
I cut my own PCB (both Gen7 personal implementation and Heated PCB) as I have the equipment (I built a lightbox for £30 as a small project before I went down the reprap road), and I'd done some board prototyping a little while back (messing around with PIC's) and having that experience and knowledge helps me help others in our hackspace.
Go for it, you'll be an asset to your community when you see it through
I cut my own PCB (both Gen7 personal implementation and Heated PCB) as I have the equipment (I built a lightbox for £30 as a small project before I went down the reprap road), and I'd done some board prototyping a little while back (messing around with PIC's) and having that experience and knowledge helps me help others in our hackspace.
Go for it, you'll be an asset to your community when you see it through