RE: How hard is fletching youself?
If I can do it, anyone can do it. I bought a Bitz a couple months ago and now wouldn't even consider having someone else fletch my arrows. In my book, the Bitz is the best, but the instructions aren't very good, so look for threads here and elsewhere for additional advice. Once you get the hang of it, you will love it. BTW, after attempting to take vanes and glue off old arrows, I've begun using arrow wraps. Makes refletching a whole lot easier.