Perhaps there are RV builders in your area who can show you the tools and discuss their use with you.
The practice kits Van's offers are a good introduction to the construction and might be worth getting and doing first. There are also how-to seminars offered from time to time.
I've bought tools from
Cleaveland,
Avery (now gone),
Brown,
The Yard Store,
ATS,
Steinair,
B&C,
Gen-Aircraft Hardware,
Lee Valley Hardware,
Flyboy Accessories,
Harbor Freight.
And in general have gotten decent stuff and a fair price and excellent service. Some particularly good things are the dimple dies from Cleaveland and the drill bits from Gen-Aircraft Hardware. I've had a bad experience with a Sioux rivet gun (but the drills are great), replaced it with an ACAT tool from The Yard Store, and am back in business.
A bigger tank on the compressor means it won't have to come on as long.
The most often used tool in my shop is a shop vacuum from Lowe's. But it's noisy. I'd recommend finding one that's powerful, not tall, and that's quiet.
A multi-speed drill press is a good thing. With that and a number of my tools, my best source was my friends.
As for tailwheel versus nose wheel, that's totally your choice. I'm sure you've read the pros and cons of each. If competent tailwheel instruction is available locally and you can build some time in a taildragger, that'll be to your advantage if you build that kind. They do take some learned ability.
Dave