As a relatively new woodworker (making simple furniture), I'm looking to add to my tool collection with some hand planes, but I'm having trouble deciding how to spend my money. I would like to keep my purchase under $150.

My initial investigative foray into this world of hand planes seems unbelievably confusing (far more so than buying power tools, frankly).

It seems that one option is to start with a single, good, high-end plane, i.e. Lie-Nielsen or Veritas. And, if so, what would be the first one you would recommend? Low angle block plane? Standard block plane? Jack plane? Smooth plane? Note: I already have a Grizzly 6 inch jointer.

Or, alternatively, I could get a less expensive set of planes. I found a set of four planes (low angle, standard block, bench and jack plane) from Footprints Tools for $129 at Sears. I have no idea how well made these are, but the price is certainly right . . .

Opinions? Ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Bill