bill Crommett
Because I started out with a set of hi carbon tools that came with my Shopsmith, I have learned that tools don't really make the difference until you get some time on the lathe. So my advise is to buy a tool (take your pick of the recommended tools) and spend some time learning to use it well before buying a bunch of good pieces of shiny stuff that looks good on the rack, but don't make you a better craftsman. And - I still use some of my old hi-carbon tools that I have reground for special purpose tools. More important than the brand or steel of a tool is to learn to sharpen well.