My opinion ...
As much fun as all the equipment is, it shouldn't be a one time investment, thats just a waste imo. There is always a Macgyver around but most of us benefit tremendously from having good equipment to use so we are not fighting the equipment at the same time we are doing a project. Quality power tools tend to be expensive. You didn't come across like a person inclined to use 18th century hand tools just because it can be done that way.
A possible option ... see if a friend with a decent wood shop would help you build them in their shop. Most shops will have a good table saw, router and some other power tools already.
Or if you are not going to get into woodworking as a hobby, just get a flat pack made, a soldering iron, and a few pipe clamps. Some of the folks here might make you a flat pack using their many 1,000's of dollars worth of precision equipment for a really super looking job. Or know where to get it done. Or alternatively just get the front baffles alone premade to reduce shipping costs. Some premake jigs as well. Some flat packs are also made with alignment aids so they glue together perfect every time.
After you get a flat pack or the equivilent made, however you do it, then ...
Pipe clamps are really cheap, put a block of scrap wood and maybe a piece of wax paper against the piece you are Elmer/yellow glueing, take your time and don't try to do very much at one time with glue. Even glueing well takes a bit of practice. If you have a lot of moisture around use a different glue than elmers/yellow.
Veneering also isn't technically difficult to do, but requires practice. One method you can look up on the web is the iron on type, basically no equipment other than a clothes iron is needed and a lot of time and patience.
http://www.joewoodworker.com/ look there for some basic info on veneering.
Or just take it to an auto shop or cabinet shop and have them spray it however you want. Many have had success with canned spray paint/truck bed liner as well, it all depends what you are comfortable doing and what you want it to look like at the end.
For one time projects you will get better professional looking results when experts help with the hard parts and it could be very little cost difference over buying a lot of equipment for one time.
You will still need skills and patience for whatever level project you take on. I really suggest starting with something you are sure you can do well, that will probably surprise you when you do it until it all comes back through practice. Nothing is ever as easy as it looks or sounds. But it still can be fun, especially when the result is something that looks as good as it sounds.
Brian
