/diy/ - Do It Yourself

hey /ohm/, newfag here
Come this summer, I'm finishing uni, and I'm going to have some free time on my hand. I'm absolutely new to anything electronic, and I'm already collecting books listed in the OP. I have a few questions though.
My ultimate goal is to make a nixie tube alarm clock, I even found blueprints for them, now since I know nothing about thing like this, what do you guys think, how much time would it take to get to that level, where I can actually make the thing? Any advice on nixie tube projects? Pic releated, I don't know yet if I want steel housing or wood housing, I have a thing for wood panels desu
Also, what are some good newfag projects?
Sorry for sounding like a fag