Graduation is nigh! Come Saturday I will be flung officially on my butt, and I’m trying to amass the necessities of woodworking while I can. However, I could use your help and practiced wisdom!

I’ve picked up some new chisels (1/2in, 3/4in, 1in), a square rule, and a cheap-o hand saw (Japanese kerf, though, so that’s a plus).

I also scrounged a 6in block plane- I was happy to find it. My problem is this, though. I also found an old Stanley brand No. 5 plane ($30), and a brace/manual drill ($25). These are both traditionally made items, well crafted (I think), and at least 30 years old (roughly). I left these two items at the estate sale as I wasn’t quite comfortable buying them without really knowing much about them. Tomorrow they will be 25% off, and in two days they will be 50% off.

Should I get these items? Are these good prices? I plan on doing tables in the future, and I’ll be building a workbench eventually, so the No. 5 would be helpful. Is it priced fair for an older, sturdy model (I really don’t want to buy newer, plastic based tools)? I realize that’s asking a lot without your handling it personally, but I’m kind of floating blindly as I’m collecting tools for the trade. Should I get the drill even though I might not use it for a while?

How should I assess the value/health of tools I come across?

Thanks for any help. I can’t wait to start contributing to the community!

ps- Is anyone a member of the Sunflower Woodworkers Guild in Kansas?

Thanks to everyone who has already welcomed me. I hope to draw from your experiences (good and bad :) ) as I begin my woodworking and work toward a level of excellence. I’ll be graduating with a degree in Philosophy and Religion this May, so I’ll need some way to supplement (read: produce) income. Woodworking is one of the potential avenues for this, but, really, I just want to work with my hands and connect with one of the greatest trades in history.