Tools:
Masking Tape (for small strips of tape for your tip guides use an xacto knife and cut them on a cutting board),
5 minute Devcon Epoxy (handles/reel seat),
Slow Cure finish, (Get the flex coat
lite kit w/ brushes syringes and mixing cups),
Cuticle Clippers (for thread tag ends, I would suggest you get these).
Knitting Needle (for burnishing thread/closing thread gaps)
If you have a rat-tail file in different tapered diameters, that should be sufficient to bore out your cork w/ a taper, if not, you will need to get/make yourself a reamer to make your cork a taper.
You also need a piece of 3M scotchbrite to prepare your rod blank surface for the handle and seat.
if you need a wrapper to borrow I have a flex coat FC-1 I can lend you IF you promise me you will return it. If not, make your own, buy one, or use cardboard box cut out w/ notches and use a book to keep the thread tight.
As far as a turner, you don't NEED one per say, but it would be beneficial to have one for applying/drying your finish until you develop the dexterity to go at it without one. If ur gonna get one, go w/ one that spins 18 RPM or higher. Sorry but I don't have one that I don't not use.
www.rodbuildingtutorials.com is a good place to kick around as well.
Adam