Originally posted by qat727
I'm poor. I can't even afford cheapy tools. Most of the time when I need an odd hand tool, I look in my Dad's toolbox. When I can't find it there I go out and buy a single Craftsman. So, basically all my tools are Craftsman, same for my Dad's. I'd love to have Snap-On, but I am lucky to afford a few Craftsman, so I go with Craftsman. As for power hand tools, don't go Craftsman label. They just suck. They farm out the Craftsman name to the lowest bidder for production. I would get something better than the Craftsman power hand tools, but we found a place that sells the ones that have been remanufactured, so we get those. Still work for a while.
If you are low on bucks head to a flea market or a scummy looking pawn shop. You can usually pick up good used tools pretty cheap. Sure they may not be as shiny as new ones but they work just as well.

Example: I just picked up a Rockwell jigsaw for $4 because the goofball at the pawn shop didn't know what he had. It's got a few marks from use but it's a very solid unit (should last the rest of my life) and works extremely well.

Abe