I never like hearing people talk about a particular brand being the best because a tool they bought 10 years ago is still working. They don't make things like they used to anymore, typically something like a tool that was built 10 years ago will be better quality than something recently built. That same brand may have switched all manufacturing to china to save costs and now have cheap tools despite having a superior product 10 years ago.
I buy craftsman for hand tools, they have really good sales, are close to me, I have had no issues with warranties(sockets, screw drivers etc) plus I just like having 1 brand in my collection. Having just one brand for me seems like a wise choice, if something breaks I don't have to track down a receipt, remember which store I got which socket from etc. If I am buying something powered I look at the warranty closer, craftsman warranty on non-hand tools is not the best. With air tools I am sticking to Ingersoll Rand, I did buy 2 sets of craftsman impact sockets and they are just sub-par to the IR stuff. Having to warranty out the IR tools is not as easy though as walking into a sears.
I have had stanley screwdrivers and they sucked, warranty on them was a joke. I would have had to mail them out to stanley then wait for them to inspect and decide if the screw drivers broke under normal use. If not I would have to pay for replacements or pay for return shipping. With sears, walk into the store and walk out with a replacement. I had a cracked socket and went to sears, they only had the more expensive laser etched version of the socket in stock, they gave me that instead with no problems.
I will never buy anything from harbor freight.
Oh I forgot, I recently picked up a Milwaukee corded magnum drill for cheap. It was new old stock made in america, I got it for cheap and that thing is a beast.
