First set of tools?

keith wrote:
  Quoted Text Here  
Generally people think in terms of cutting and fastening tools. Your layout and measuring tools are equally important--if you can't check squareness accurately or mark off cuts precisely then you have little hope of actually _making_ them precisely. A good combination square (one of these things <http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Hand+Tools%2C+Carpentry&pid938700000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Squares&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes>, I used the Sears catalog just for illustration--I'm not sure they're called the same thing outside the US) covers several bases and a good one is exceedingly precise--it's expensive but worth the money IMO. You should also have a good long straightedge and an appropriately sized framing square (they come from not much bigger than the combination square on up to very large sizes). If you're working with dimensions larger than a third of a meter or so then a good steel tape is essential, get one that handles the longest length you're likely to have to deal with. You should have some kind of level, what kind depends on what you do--if it's mostly small work then the one in the combination square will suffice but for cabinetry you'll be wanting a longer one.
Eye protection is another area that is often put on the back burner--get yourself a good face shield and a pair of safety glasses--nothing like a chip in the eye to ruin your day, and that can happen with hand tools as well as power tools. Ear muffs as well if you work with power tools.
Another area where people starting out tend to cut corners is work holding. Until you have a bench that's going to be a problem. You'll find a WorkMate <http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/CategoryOverview.aspx?cPath%16.2521 to be very convenient until you can get a bench built and once you've got a bench you'll still find it a convenient thing to have--it will hold things that are very awkward to hold any other way and it's nicely portable. A lot of people sneer at them but the fact is that it's a brilliant piece of engineering. It's not a substitute for a full sized workbench but it beats the Hell out of working on the floor or the kitchen table or a piece of plywood across a couple of sawhorses. If you do mostly small work then it might turn out to be all that you need.
Sharpening tools--a good set of diamond stones will handle just about anything and last practically forever, for the finest edge you can add Japanese waterstones or black Arkansas or use ultrafine sandpaper stuck down on a piece of plate glass. If you get a bench grinder make sure it has friable wheels (these are usually white), the "regular" kind overheats tool steel with remarkable ease.
Something to think about up front is an air compressor--the ability to use pneumatic in addition to electric tools gives you flexibility that you wouldn't otherwise have--if you've got the compressor then you won't ever be in the situation of looking at a tool and saying "this is what I need for this job but I don't have a compressor".
A couple of power tools to think about--a Dremel and a Fein Multimaster. These aren't the tools that you grab when you go to build a cabinet, these are the ones that do all sorts of odd jobs that you otherwise would be scratching your head over and wondering "how am I going to do _that_". I wouldn't say that you _need_ either of them, but once you have them you may find yourself wondering how you got along without them. Both can do amazingly precise work and reach into places that it's almost impossible to get at any other way and with a suitable choice of cutter cut damned near _anything_.
A tool you'd never think of--get a couple of pieces of 25mm or so thick lignum vitae, maybe 75 mm wide by half a meter long (nothing magic about those dimensions, basically just a couple of short boards). I picked up a couple on a whim a while back (the lumber yard had a pile of cut-off ends from a job and I've never actually _seen_ the stuff before) and find that I use them for all sorts of things--not as lumber but as tools. I'm forever grabbing them to do one thing or another--distribute a load or "nudge" something or hold something down (they're quite heavy for their size) or prop something up.

I'd go with the class suggestion. The way I did it was to get a couple books and just start projects. Any project takes three steps to the hardware store anyway.
I guess my point is that everyone does it differently. Before you spend the whole $1500 start doing what interests you and see where it goes.
Make sure you get a good assortment of hand tools and basic fasteners. For my kids I spent about $100 and got them basic tool kits when the graduated. Big claw hammer Little claw hammer Torpedo level Twine Small assortment of fasteners. Big and little vise Grips Big and Little channel locks Keyhole saw Ratcheting screwdriver handle with a lot of bits as a set Cordless drill Cordless screwdriver Screwdriver set Big and little tape measures Leatherman Multi tool Needle nose pliers Square / straight edge
Controversial Point: I believe that if I have several small tools such as several tape measures, hammers, levels, etc. I will always be able to find one. This is not necessarily true but I still do it
And more Probably my favorite tool is my power miter box. Mine is corded. I had a cordless but I sold it.
Making nice long shavings with a hand plane on fragrant wood is still about the coolest thing you can do in woodworking.
Tom