I started woodworking only a few years ago when I moved into town. for the first time living within City limits I didn't have a ranch to take care of and I needed something to do! I think the only new piece of equipment I bought was a miter saw because I needed it for a project and I couldn't find one used. my old Craftsman table saw was $50. a floor standing drill press and bandsaw together were $200. I'm bought an old Delta lunch box planer for $60 that took me two weeks to completely take apart and refurbish. I have some hand tools that were purchased new but those were the major items that I make an unbelievable amount of projects with. I even source most of my hardwood lumber out of a dumpster or scrap piles at local cabinet shops. it doesn't take much in order to make beautiful things.