I'm similar to your situation, built a few ARFs and building my first kit right now. I have and use everything spokman listed there! great list, cept I am using T pins and push pins *must be a new guy mistake eh? that's what the instructions say to use*. One thing I'll add, is a drywall square, I'm building a 1/4 scale and I've needed it a few times. On clamps, you can't have too many or too great a selection, no way! Sanding bars, I got a 12" jobber, thought that would be it..... not, got me a 3 1/2 footer too! and get different grits of sandpaper to go with them! Now I'm no master by any means, but I haven't been able to cross cut a piece of balsa yet with an exacto blade without crushing it, get the saw! works great for everything, even ply. Get twice as much CA and epoxy as the instructions suggest. and the one thing you saw several times.... READ READ READ... and the understanding part is the key to your success. I have read a sentance, read it again and still get more out of it. These things are written for people who understand what the author is saying. DON'T throw anything away

I'll explain my table, I got the ideas from looking it up on RCU a long time ago. Bought me a cafeteria table from Office Max, got a big door from Home Depot, and drilled/screwed extruded aluminum to that lengthwise and cross ways then layed a sheet of 5/8 drywall on top of that *trim off the tapered edges first*~ it works. Lots of good ideas out there to choose from.