Bill wrote:

At this point, I don't even have a good steel rule. Some of you have
seen me around here long enough to know I am a beginner. What should
I be collecting along these
lines?

I found this to be one of the most useful measuring/marking tools I've
acquired--I use it constantly.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...79&cat=1,42936