Thanks for the great tips. I like pyro the most so far. I'm still figuring out all the extra items you earn. I love it!
as per items:
(1) go to achivement server, type in the command, and get 20 of them at once. it's perfectly legal to do so and nobody will blame you for doing it.
(2) you'll get about 8-12 weapons for 10 or so hours you play each week. playing more than that won't give you extra items. if you play less, extra items will show up the following week (this does not work on week 3).
(3) default weapons are great and (almost) everything is a sidegrade. other weapons are hell of fun though.
(4) do NOT craft weapons. you can get 'em via trading for LOT cheaper.
(5) all weapons can be traded for a scrap (or any two craftable weapons). the exceptions are vintage and genuine weapons.
(6) if you get stuff as hat, misc, paint, tools, etc please do not throw them away in a trade. almost everyone wants to rip off people. people love ripping off newbies. seen it happen so many time that it's just sad.
oh and foundry is one of the best map. it's extremely beginner friendly.
edit: there are plenty of people who'll do 1:1 trade for another weapon because they're nice or they want a particular weapon you have. so lookout for those if you don't want to trade for a scrap.