I have to agree, I bought my socket set when I was 16, that's 19 years ago now (god I feel old suddenly!). It was just a generic middle of the road set, 1/2" and 1/4" drives, with extensions and spark plug sockets etc. Over the years, I've added to it when I've needed an odd size, or occasionally broken something. I actually had to replace the 1/2" drive about 10 years ago, but replacing as and when things break does spread the cost out somewhat, and I reckon one ratchet every 10 years (with some pretty nasty abuse - 6' scaffold tube on end of drive to shift beetle rear hub nut!) is pretty good.
If you were a professional mechanic, and your living depended on your tools (and they were to be used 8 hours a day, 5 days a week), I would get expensive stuff with lifetime warranties, but for the home mechanic, I don't feel it's worth it.
Cheers
Adrian
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