Best approach to buying tools?

Big fan of Harbor's Pittsburgh PRO line of tools. The non pro tools are OK but the Pro ones are a real value. I've actually broken two of the ratchets from them (the one in your 2nd pic) and they replaced them no questions asked. One I broke by throwing it and the other snapped when I put a pipe on the end of the 3/8 drive ratchet towards the tip of the handle. Both times they gave me a new one.

Personally I'd get a Craftsman set when they go on sale and then scour craigslist. You can find tons and tons of old school quality tools for cheap on CL. I'd much rather have an old school pair of used Klein cutters than some shiny new brand that hasn't made their name in the cutting business.

Certain things at Harbor Freight work fine and certain things are hot garbage. Always check the reviews on their site and google the tool to see what other people on other forums are saying about it. One tool might break as if it was made for a 5 year old and the next tool might work perfectly and save you $50. Do your research.

I try to find them on the side of the road.

Ottmundr said:

I have had decent luck with the Home Depot Huskys and the Stanley tools. I have found them pretty cheap at Wallyworld. I even picked up a two ton floor jack at wallyworld for $20.

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I was a Mac Snap on only kind of guy until my tool were stolen.
I have a farm and several trucks, cars. tractor and skid loader. Now I buy from pawn shops and yard sales. The Home depot and wally world tools have served me well as have harbor freight tools. I bought a craftsman roll around with top box at a yard sale for $75.00 along with a 3 ton engine hoist for $50. The deals are out there. I have bought saws, drills and electrical equipment for penny on the dollar. Watch for the divorce women that want to get even with the ex. Boy talk about revenge.

I have 3 tool bags 1 for regular stuff 1 for heavy equipment and 1 for electrical repairs.

I only use Craftsman. I have stuff that has all been bought by me and me alone, I dropped $3500 as a 25 year old on tools I knew would last my lifetime and one day be my sons... he was born in 2007 I am almost 42 now so you can do that math. There are some of their tools still US made I just saw some at Ace Hardware less than a week ago. I think I saw on Garage Journal there are ways to determine where the tools were made by the catalog number or some such info.

I'm not knocking anyone's tool choice but I have broke more snapon tools than I have any other brand I have ever used and I've used all of them at some time or another. My favorite is SK but they are hard to find these days and I refuse to give what they want for snapon. That being said, I stick with the craftsman because they are a good tool at a decent price and easy to exchange if they break. The only tools I go really cheap on are wrenches one inch on up because I'm not strong enough to break wrenches that big and don't use them often. When it comes to pliers, visegrips or valve spring compressors you better buy good ones or you will regret it. No matter who makes it, any tool used incorrectly will break eventually and that includes using the incorrect tool for the job. Using any type ratchet wrench from any manufacturer to break bolts loose, especially big bolts, shouldn't shock anyone when they break. As good as they are, I just can't afford snapon or many of the other big name tools and craftsman have with few exceptions done fine for me.