For at work, the stuff you use every day I'd get Snappy. The key is knowing when to buy. If you need something, tell your guy to put it on your list. When it comes on special his computer will flag it and it will pop up that you were looking for one.
For things that you use rarely or don't abuse, Craftsman is ok, so is Kobalt or even some cheaper ones.
My screwdrivers are Craftsman, my tap set is Kobalt, I just ordered a set of Mahue (sp?) pry bars, my head-bolt ratchet is a Tektron (a ratchet the size of my arm for $40, heck yeah). But for boxes, Snap-on.
If your school has a tool program, use it. Buy all the odd-ball stuff as cheap as you can. And don't buy a box with a tool kit. I know they are expensive, but if you can get it at 1/4 to 1/2 off through the school, buy the biggest one they will let you.
Or once you get into a shop, tell your tool dealer to keep an eye out for used ones.
Here is my current setup:
I bought the red one and a matching roll cab used for $3500 out the door. Then this past fall Snap-On was running a big sale, $600 right off the top of the sticker price, reduced interest, and $1500 trade on any metal tool box you had around. Didn't even have to have wheels. I bought the orange cab and brought my red roll cab home, traded my $200 (new) Craftsman unit for $1500. Went from having no extra room in any of my drawers and no space for my computer or for writing things up to having several empty drawers and that little space at the side of my bottom box (I call it my "Office").
Like I said, watch for the good sales. They usually come around at least once a year.
Oh, and if you end up with a tool guy that you buy from regularly, keep paying him $10 or $20 a week even if your account is paid off. It keeps your budget from getting screwy and builds a huge credit on your truck account. The loan on my toolbox aside, my Snap-On guy owes me $70 right now.
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