Further to my last, check out good quality used tools for excellent deals on normally pricey items.
Some of the best values I have ever come across have been found at garage and auction sales or merely through networking with people or replying to adverts on places like Kijiji or buy and sell.
As far as I'm concerned, I would rather buy someone elses high quality name brand used tool than a piece of crap from China.
Truth is, often times the used items can be had for a fraction of the price of new and cheaper than the cheapest imports.
I would even hazard a bet that a guy could put out a couple grand if he shopped carefully and end up with quite an assortment of tools and equipment.
As always, it is buyer beware.
I know there are lots of guys out there that just have to have something and then never use it and sell for pennies on the dollar.
Over the years I have bought lots of great used stuff to outfit myself with that would have cost thousands if I was too picky and had to have brand new...
Afterall, it is used as soon as it comes out of the box...