knotscott

You can do a lot with a decent table saw, router, jig saw, drill, a work surface, and some clamps. Buy or borrow a book or two and read up.

I think you'd be best off with a full size cast iron type saw with a belt drive induction motor....good used tools are usually your best value. IMO, you're better off buying the saw type than the brand name.....most brands make some good tools, and some clunkers. Avoid entry level cheapie versions. The old Emerson made Craftsman table saws are common, affordable, and are the basis for the current Ridgid contractor saws....you can often buy them in the $100 range, clean 'em up, add a decent fence, and can update many parts easily as needed - wings, leg stand, pulleys, motor, belt, miter gauge. You might also find a good used Delta, Rockwell, Ridgid, Jet, or PM. Blade and setup dictate the end performance of any saw, so take the time to do it right.

There are lots of good choices in routers from Milwaukee, PC, Hitachi, Makita, Freud, DeWalt, Ridgid and others. There are cheaper brands but you're less assured of getting a really good router. There are great sales on great routers every year....keep your eyes peeled. Get one that has 1/2" and 1/4" collets, and buy the 1/2" bits whenever possible. You'll want variable speed if you plan to put the router in a router table.

A couple of functional chisels and a decent hand plane or two are handy to have....don't bother with the crappy no name planes...better to buy an older used one than a new junk plane. You can always add things like a planer, jointer, bandsaw, drill press, dust collector, and power sanders as needed and warranted. The Harbor Freight Pittsburg bar clamps are a great deal on sale. Have fun!

clarionflyer

Knottscott has to be the king of killing threads. His info is so "right on the money", he takes all the fun debate away . But I will contest, Harddog... Craftsman makes some serious clunkers, but their good stuff is hard to beat for the bucks.

Another one hard to beat for new stuff, 43longtime, is Grizzly. They'll send you a free catalog if you request it. Heck, I learn a lot just by going through tool catalogs.

http://grizzly.com/

Just don't be daunted with all that you need. Get the basics and work with what you have. Some of my favorite tables, I made with a $100 tablesaw and a ton of sweat (and sandpaper).

mmtools

Here is a great article that lists the "Top 5 Power Tools Everyone Should Own".

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