Here's a tip to save you much time and money. Start with Tinker till you can make shovels.. Mine and work tinker at the same time "once you can make shovels".. At GM Tinker with a +15 Tinker Tally, your shovels will have between 200 and 400 uses (most in the 300 range) for the cost of 4 iron ingots.. You won't need the gloves till you can mine Golden and while your working skill you won't need them at all with ROT..