Hello everyone. My birthday is coming up and I was asked by my mother for a list of birthday items. I will also be moving into my first ever place from home on or around 6/6/12. I do not own a drill, drill bits, I own rusty pliers, etc. I need a tool upgrade, but do not want to spend a fortune doing it.....or rather have others spend a fortune on me as a gift. I am not a professional, but do not want junk that only lasts a few uses. Where do I look? Which brands and stores? Is the stuff from Hargor Freight worth buying? There is a Harbor Freight store down the road from that new apartment in Lychberg, VA.
"budget" and "tools" don't really go together. If you are only looking for using the tool just a few times and you are only going to do very light duty use with it, then some place like harbor freight is ok.
If you think you want tools that will last as long as you do and have a real guarantee, then I would suggest going to sears and looking for sales on Craftsman. Sometimes you can find really good sales and if you are patient, you can save about 40% off the tools you end up with. They will last, or they will be replaced with a lifetime guarantee. Craftsman are probably the lowest price quality tools to get. Others are better, but very expensive, like snap-on.
Let me start off by saying that I don't know much about tools. I have a Leatherman Blast that seems to be built pretty well.
How do full-sized Leatherman multi-tools (like the Blast) compare to Craftsman tools?
+1 on Sears Craftsman tools.
It's tough to beat anything with a lifetime guarantee.
Harbor Freight is great place to buy one use/low use tools .
I like Stanley tools. Their pliers, hammers , screwdrivers and the like are a great budget / beginner tools. Their 25ft x 1 inch wide tape measure is incredible for the price. and they make a good handsaw. Don't forget a level and a square. For skilsaws,jig saws & and electric drills. Black & Decker makes good quality entry level tool. If you have a choice, choose a variable speed reversible drill. Brands like Stanley & Black & Decker can be bought darned near everywhere. Lowe's sells a Kobalt SpeedFit drill bit set that has damned near everything a homeowner could use. It's a bit pricey at 39.99 but if you catch it on sale, it's $ 19.99.
harbor freight can be really bottom barrel china stuff but can be ok for hand tool and light duty . i find you get just as cheap stuff at menards and better yet farm n fleet with better quality . If you dont have those lowes stuff is good quality Chinese stuff.
but if you have harbor freight just make i list of what you need and wait for it to go on sale , you can get it super cheap if you wait for the sales,. i have gotten some of the pneumatic tools and for $8 for a cut off wheel on sale, common , for half a dozen uses a year ...
i wouldn't recommend their abrasives for the most part BTW
It’s all about what each individual needs. If the blast can do everything you need, then it’s fine for you.
I'm a do it yourselfer. I gathered my hand tools over 40+ years. I worked on my own cars when I was young. I made my own wood projects, etc. I have always tried to make it myself if possible, so I have a lot of tools, from years of working with them. You only have to buy what you need. If it fits your needs, then it works.
Some people never need a tool. They hire someone else to do it. If they got the money, more power to 'em. I wish I could.
You might want to check the brand Ryobi for cordless power tools. It's the retail brand of a big chinese oem manufacturer. It looks like they are building really good quality for the money.
Good luck on your move. Luckily, you dont need much if your are moving to an apt. Phillips and standard screwdrivers, pliers, an adjustable wrench, a hammer, some nails and screws. Thats all youre really gonna need. No sense in buying a tool shed full of tools. When i moved in to my first place, i bought one of those cheap $20 tool sets with a carrying case from a Track Auto back then and i still have it. If all you'll be hammering is nails for picture frames, dollar store variety will suffice. Heck, check a garage sale or flea market.
Just think about some of the tools your dad used around the house and why. Alot of tools are for making things or replacing things. If you dont plan on making a chair or replacing a garbage disposal, go simple. ;)
+1 kreisler, he definately needs a STIHL for moving in the first time.
For a drill I can recommend Makita.
There is a bug in your post. I can't click "No". 
You mentioned the tools my dad used. :) Well he was a car mechanic for the state back in the 60s and he still has those tools. Most of them are Thorson, Easco and Stanley. His corded drill is a Craftsman and it still works. His toolbox is a Craftsman. All of it was made in the USA back then.
Great post. If I were living in an apartment and just living my life, I would only need a couple of cheap screwdrivers, a few adjustable wrenches, allen keys and maybe a small socket set.
My advice: Buy as you need. If you anticipate needing a tool, keep an eye out for sales. This is coming from someone with a lot of various tools.
I've been happy with harbor freight. Had a wrench fail on me once and some wobblers strip out. I took them in and harborfreight replaced them no questions asked. The wobblers that failed were replace by an improved more precise set.
All of my electric tools are still going good after about 5 years give or take. Which include a belt sander, winch, 2 compressors, bench and handheld grinders, corded and cordless drills, circular jig and sawzall, and a few others.
I guess you can get better quality for twice the price. I guess it all depends on if you must have the best.
(Edit: Also 2 harborfreight wire feed welders failed on my friend. I think that may have been his fault though. If you are not sure on a product from harborfrieght you can check out the reviews on their site.)