This piece for Links Beat collects the advice that holds up in practice.
A satisfying start to woodworking needs a corner of a room, a sturdy table and five tools: a hand saw, a block plane, a chisel, a marking gauge and a square. Hand tools are quiet, cheap second-hand and safe enough for a flat. The first project should be small and useful, such as a bread board, a shelf bracket or a box with simple joints.