Best approach to buying tools?

I really don't agree with the "everything HF or Pittsburgh is junk"

I have a good mix of all the homeowner stuff...Craftsman, Husky, Pittsburgh, and Kobalt.

For craftsman: I have broken 4 ratchets, a 26" breaker bar, and about 12 sockets, they warrantied all of them but as Sears/K-marts close it's a lot harder to get them replaced.

I've broken exactly zero Pittsburgh brand tools, and I have a lot of them. I use their ratchets pretty much exclusively now, because they function well and don't break. The "Pittsburgh Pro" marked stuff is about as good as anything you can buy at a store...if it said "made in taiwan" on it, I wouldn't hesitate.

Husky tools are pretty decent, IMO, they are definitely my go-to place if I need a single loose socket or wrench as they have by far the best prices on individual items. Have broke none of their tools. Satisfied.

Kobalt: I have broken some of their sockets and I have the "toothless" ratchet from there, which is a super cool tool. However, getting anything warrantied at Lowe's seems to be a total joke.

For air tools, spend money and buy a good quality USA compressor, and you can certainly get by just fine with HF air tools. The earthquake brand air tools have worked quite well for me.

I wouldn't even bother with the high dollar stuff unless you are doing this for a living. Since you work at HF, I wouldn't be afraid to use their stuff.

Now, for something precision or specialty, like flaring tools, it's worth buying the more expensive tool.