basic midi controller help

[Guest midinovice]

hello everyone.

ive been looking for a way to build a small (one octave) midi controller to mount near my turntable that i can use to key sounds using reason software.  ive done some basic research online but im still a little confused about where to start.  is it possible to not only have midi trigger switches but to also have pitch-bend style wheels and knobs?  can a diy unit be made to pass through another device (such as a oxygen 8?)  is it possible to disassemble my oxygen 8 and reassemble it in a different body (the purpose of which would be to integrate the controller into my live setup in a more effficient way...? )

thanks folks!   -jon

p.s.-  im a newb so be nice  :)