I have read that truing a wheel is one of the things many are willing to pay for and not do themselves. The OP himself says that it is not only the cost of a truing wheel, but the lack of experience that brought him to the lbs. I think experience is worth paying for. But I also think that we all have to start somewhere. If the OP decides to get a truing wheel and have at it, I hope he will post his adventures in truing here.