Tools over materials is right and the order to buy them in matters.
Start with: bone folder, a good awl, a curved needle, linen thread, PVA and a cutting mat. That is a very small amount of money and it covers everything for the first several books.
Do not buy a press. Two pieces of plywood and four clamps works, and by the time it genuinely limits you, you will know exactly what kind of press you want. The number of abandoned hobby presses on second-hand sites suggests most people buy that one first.