I just re-read your subject line and am not sure if what I posted is what
you are looking for. I consider the best "bargain" in hand tools to be the
one that will always work for you and that you'll never want to replace. To
that end, after Sandvik Group tools, my next choice of superior tools are
those made by the Cooper Group.

"George" wrote in message
...
Yes, you've overlooked the Sandvik group's products. Their Bahco Ergo
screwdrivers can be difficult to find, but I think they are easily the
best
on the market. In fact, all the Sandvik tools I've seen are of the
highest
quality and I buy their products when they make a particular tool I want
before considering other manufacturers.

"The Hurdy Gurdy Man" wrote in message
...

I know the issue of who makes the best hand tools has been rehashed many
times here in the past (generally consisting of a list of who makes
better
stuff than Sears/Craftsman), but I'm wondering whose tools would provide
the
best bang for the buck. I ask because I just purchased a really nifty
rolling tool chest at Costco (I believe it's a 19 drawer unit, all ball
bearing supported, with drawer liners included and made entirely out of
304
stainless, definitely looks nice in the garage!) and want to fill it
with
new tools. Can't go contaminating a new tool chest with old tools,
right?
And seeing as I'm single, I don't have to justify my logic to anyone.

Craftsman has a 240-something piece tool set that looks like it'd be
what
I
want, and the price doesn't seem so bad for what it is... around $300 or
so.
And for the types of things I do the Craftsman stuff would be sufficient
enough, even though I'd like something better... but price is definitely
an
issue. Craftsman quality aside, are there any other tool sets out there
that are a better value for the cost? I haven't been too pleased with
the
Husky tools I've used, and the Stanley stuff I've used seems alright but
the
price never seems to be as good... oh sure, I'd love to plunk down the
change for a nice Snap-On or Mac or Matco or whatever set, but I just
can't
justify that. And short of doing a successful stint on Monster Garage,
I
can't see a better value around. Does anyone have any other preferred
hand
tool vendors that I've overlooked? Something with a Craftsman-grade
warranty (or better), but with a suitable amount of quality for the
price?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

Bryan