Pawn shops and flea markets are a good source for power tools, even a large assortment of drimel bits at a flea market is half the cost of a hardware store.
To do srdavo's metal chopper, I picked up a power saw for $20 at a pawn shop, same thing when I burned out my cheapie Black and Decker drill for all the motor mounting modifications, I got a $100+++ heavy duty drill for about $30.
Another source is the MANY clever retirees who piddle around in the back yard, who would have the table vises and grinders necessary to get you up and running. You could find a backyard mechanic in the lawn mower/small engine repair biz to "mentor a poor college student".
When you start riding, you are going to start talking to a lot of strangers about your ride, you could get a jump start on the conversation by just venturing out and asking around.
You don't have your location in your profile, but I'd bet there is a forum member within a half hour of you.