Stanley is definitely a "cheap" brand when it comes to tools.

The way I see it is you pay a little more and pay for quality that way youre only buying them once. Especially with Craftsman warranty if anything breaks you get a replacement.

I ahve the 260 piece set and it is fantastic. Has most everything you'll need besides sockets bigger than 20mm I believe

 

This is the set i have, highly recommended. I would buy it over the cheaper set.

Like evils2k said above just buy the right one first so you don't end having to buy more sockets later. This set is short on extensions however.

 

I have read alot of reviews about the 260 pc and it seems alot of ppl dislike the box they come in. I intend to haul this thing all over the place and don't want everything getting jumbled up inside and falling out...

 

Way back in the day I went with the Craftsman ~100 piece and just bought the few random other tools I've needed. Been a good decision so far. Basic sets will provide you 90% of what you'll need imo.

 

get a new tool box, the boxes that they come in wont hold much more than the tools that the set comes with. youll probably want to keep other stuff in the box like electrical tape, more pliers and wrenches, voltmeter, tape measure, and what ever other tools you end up getting.

i got this tool box but now its getting a little small: (it has wheels and an extending handle which is nice)

http://toolkitsuperstore.com/Merchan...ory_Code=CA4_7

there are cheaper alternatives like this:

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CHgQ8wIwAg#

 

+1 for Sears Craftsman. Even if the warranty was identical you get to return stuff through any Sears location and they are proven to be no-hassle on returns. Very convenient. I've got some nice Proto brand hand tools and most of my Craftsman tools feel similarly good. I have the Sears Pro 2 HP (oiled) air compressor for years now (abused with lots of bead blasting and air-tool polishing work on a 115V / 20A circuit) and it is awesome.