I've done a good deal of woodwork.
I was taught by one of the most respected woodowrk teachers in the UK, who started Lord Linley on his path /Uziquenamedroppinglikeitmatterswhomyteacherwas
I can't be bothered with furniture, the equipment needed is so large and heavy its a pita to house.
Lightweight DIY machines aren't worth having, furniture is cheap to buy and so slow to make I don't see the point.
But starting points would be a set of hand tools, clamps, bench, table saw, lathe, router, bandsaw, pillar drill/morticer, planer in that order.
You can get your lumber shop to do your planing, thats probably the noisiest machine.
Don't buy cheap chisels, and you need a grinding wheel and stone.
I can do almost anything I want with a pillar drill, router and hand-held circular saw, apart from turning obviously.
A Festo guide-rail saw is a neat alternative to a table saw, and very useful for cutting up sheet material in perfect straight lines, I don't regret the $1k I spent on that - but only recommend it if you really will be handling a lot of MFD or chipboard.
Turning would is fun, if you want to make bowls and things you can get a very short lathe. Apart from that if you avoid round parts you don't need one.
I'd do an evening class and see what you like.
Also, a good first aid kit is essential, I like the fabric elastoplast on a roll - you can cut it to suit your injury of the day.
Last edited by Dilbert_X (2011-12-30 14:30:02)