Alan, as I recall Lowes, like home depot, will do 2 cuts for free...just give them the measurements for the piece you want.
As for well rounded wood working tools I'd suggest a double compound miter saw{flips over left and right} for cutting table legs and frame corner gussets, a table saw for cutting long sheets, long cuts in shelving for wheel slots to set trains on or cutting knotches in legs/things and maybe a plunge router if you ever plan on keyhole slots on shelving- otherwise a standard router for decorative shelving corners and careful keyhole cuts.
...or, just find a close fellow forum member with all this and bring "drinks"{for afterwards} ...if you were close I'd offer my services/tools.