I was advised to get: 1/4 chisel, 1/2 chisel, 1/4 gouge, 1/2 gunline barrel channel scraper (thingy with multiple steel disk cutters separated with rubber pads), large cabinet 1/2 round wood file, large 1/2 round wood rasp, smaller versions of the files & rasps - this is for inletting & shaping, I use my Dewalt compound mitre saw with fine tooth set for cutting stock ends for butt pads & forend tips. Bunch of other files for other associated wood & metal tasks. No cheap tools. Dewalt cordless & set of real sharp twist drills & wood bits. Wifey's hair drier when stuff needs to be warm. Dremel for buzzing out old epoxy. Various grades of blue sand paper ending with 320, rubber sanding block. Minwax Poly Rub for finish (good stuff - marked interior but testing it outside in wet, hot, sun, cold on scrap shows its durable). First coat dries within 4-6 hours. 4 to 12 coats depending of wood porosity (laminates, maple, Claro walnut). Cheap, 1 pint will do 10 or so stocks. Nice smooth finish with no exposed pores. Resists yellowing.
Bastogne makes me gush but 1/16 laminates provide soothing confidence with end product, sort of like working with homogenous plastic. My favorite laminate colors are brown/brown, gray/black/blue & a combo of red/brown/gray/blue (sort of garish). Piles of multi colored dust on floor. Laminates feel good on heavy kickers like my .375-.338 with a nice 1" pad.