I've a small amount of experience under my belt using some makeshift tools and I've been doing well by ear - (no wearing down pins or breaking strings, just soft tuning slightly out of tune pianos) and I'm look for quality tools at a reasonable price to take on my SW Miller from the 1920's - I'm looking to spend about $100 +/- $20 for a basic kit. From there I plan on taking more in depth classes.

Any seasoned veterans out there willing to give some experience advice, concerning tools, would be much appreciated.

* I apologize ahead of time to those who get annoyed at reposts, I'm new to site and couldn't find any forums with a simliar subject line -

Don't skimp on the tuning lever, it will stand in the way of learning to properly tune. If you have to stick to a budget, see if you can pick up an older solid professional lever second hand from a tech. The bonus with this is that you can probably re-sell it later without much loss. The tip can be changed out if its worn. 15 degree head on the lever are common for good clearance but you may want to get an extention for the tip just the same. Other than that some mutes (strip, wedge and paps) is all you need to tune.

What Emmery said about the tuning lever. You can get very good professional "tuning house brand" levers in the $80-100 range. The other tuning materials (rubber mutes, temperament strip, fork) will put you back approximately the extra $20 you're flexible with.