Word of advice Matt. I am new as well and am in no place to give advice, but hear me out on this. I bought a wood lathe and the little things to turn some pens. My mistake was reading this forum and looking at other more experienced individuals work. I am one of those guys who believes if someone else can do it, so can I. I looked at customs and kits. Now after less than a year I have a metal lathe, pressure pot, vacuum chamber, anodizing equipment, all the casting supplies including homemade and purchased molds. I even killed a rattlesnake, but it was in a picnic area where kids play. This stuff is addicting and I have ruined a lot of materials learning. It becomes expensive fast if you let it, I did. Have fun. Oh and next on the list is a mill, I don't even know why yet.