A lot of tool buying depends on what you intend to be doing. If your son is going to be an electrician, he will need a certain set of tools; if he is going into data stuff, then another. Since I don't know much about the latter, I will concentrate on the former.
Tape measure- 1/2" tape 12 feet long. Conduit is 10' long so why do you need anything longer? For layout, then have a 35' in your toolbag or an your cart. Craftsman does not live up to their slogan: "Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back".
Cordless drill: egg beaters or bit and brace for the larger stuff. I got through my apprenticeship with a 9.6v Makita. Many guys have the drill but no drill bits which is kind of ironic. Since the main use is driving screws, invest in an impact driver.
Doorstop, pry bar, tent peg, paint can opener, electricians' chisel: the classic, square shank, keystone tipped Klein 600 with reamer attachment. I've had only one failure which was when I was installing these new fangled Uni-Strut clamps made out of stout wire where you had to pry the two sides together. The tip broke off. Home Depot honored the warranty.
Linesmans: Klein. Also required.
Wire Strippers: My first Ideal worked well. My second didn't so I got the Klein curved handle ones with the blue, curved, cushioned grips. Get good quality so you don't knick the wires.
Hacksaw: I have Lennox classic but get at least a heavy duty frame. Many use a Sawzall but this is a demolition tool and the results show [88? rough cuts]. Get a 32 tpi blade. For extensive cutting, use a bandsaw.
File: the best general file is 1/2 round. You can deburr the inside and outside of pipe, UniStrut, etc. as well as use the edge to clean up mangled threads.
Torpedo level: Stabila. Empie or Right something. Get one with good magnets. Test in the store by reversing end for end on a flat, horizontal surface.
Grove joint pliers: Knippex or ChannelLock buy make sure you get the V shaped jaws ["GripLock"].
Utility knife: the most dangerous tool. Whatever you feel like cutting your fingers with.
Flashlight: A small Maglight with a pocket clip. Wear a shirt with a pocket for your pencil, flashlight and Sharpie.
Tool belt: None. Good for sweeping the antique flower vase off the secretariy's desk as you walk by. Also prevents you from walking between studs if this is a concern.
A small cold chisel is surprisingly useful.
So is a good, sharp [ha ha] wood chisel.
Most of the other tools are not used much so the quality doesn't matter [much]. Husky, Harbor Freight, whatever but don't get Craftsman [anybody need a pair of jeans that doesn't have a zipper?]
~Peter
