Immediately buy a copy of Walter Kelley's How to Raise Bees and sell honey.

Used equipment is not advisable, unless you get it checked by your apiary inspector and certified free of American Foul Brood.

Bleach doesn't help, as it penetrates neither propolis nor beeswax, both of which can harbor AFB spores

I agree!
get all new equipment,.... read allot and perhaps join a club.
It might get a bit late in the season to get started, to build up a good size colony for over wintering.[cold climate]
Konrad

Actually, you should be still OK, if you start a nuc or a package...not too late yet

CALL YOUR COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE. THERE IS PROBABLY A BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION. OURS IS GEARED TO ALL LEVELS OF BEEKEEPING BUT MOST OF THE SPEAKERS TEACH TO THE BEGINNERS. LOTS OF OLD PROS THERE TO ASK QUESTIONS. SOMETIMES THE COMMUNITY COLLAGES WILL HAVE A BEGINNING BEEKEEPING CLASS. IT'S A LOT OF FUN, AND A CHALLANGE...LOTS OF LUCK

I would buy new equipment, but you can use the old if you are sure that there is no spores or bacteria in them. You can sterilize the hives by submerging them in boiling lye. The frames should be cleaned with lye too.
But to be sure to have a sucesfull start as beekeeper buy new equipment and get your bees from someone you trust.

Jens

They stay busy whether you fool with them or not. Keeping them from getting sick is your most important job. The more you learn, the more you know you don't know. Don't get too many hives too fast. Try to get your family involved, even if it only means liking the honey.

Here is a link that might be useful: Web site with forum, plans, products