Spoke advice
Bite the bullet, pay reasonable retail for exact right length spokes. If you haven't built wheels before, but Gerd Scraner's wheel book and read it through. Long nipples aren't a good way to fudge too short spokes; a spoke that goes through the inner rim surface and engages max nipple threads will hold tension the best and give you a stronger wheel. Also, double butted spokes are WELL worth the price, they'll hold tension best and give a slightly better ride. Small stuff-spokes, cables, etc., are a really cost ineffective place to save $. Using the right small stuff will give you results you'll ultimately be happier with.