msdr

A far easier solution for the drawer bottom slots is to use a Box-Slotting Bit (http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=47818&cat=1,46168,46176&ap=1). The bearing rides along any surface, curved or flat, and best of all, you can dry-fit your drawer or box with clamps, cut your bottom slot all the way around, and not have unsightly corner gaps. Slotting while dry-fit together also insures that the bottom slots line up perfectly.

I always felt this argument was a waste of time. There is no one tool you should buy first, because in order to make woodworking fun and effective, you will need more than one tool. Tablesaw first? You'll spend a fortune buying dressed lumber. Planer first? Have fun cutting and ripping those smooth boards by hand. If you want to get started woodworking you will need a few good tools like a table saw, jointer and planer, cordless drill, and hopefully you'll be able to fit a router in there as well. You'll be able to build just about everything from furniture to cabinets with those basics.