Hi Dom;
Sounds like tough luck -- NOT!
In any event it is far to easy to get wrapped up in buying tools and end up not using them or finding they aren't a good fit for your interests. In your case you describe your good fortune but you fail to tell us whats up. That is what are your hobby interest exactly?
In any event I would not get to wrapped up in CNC for all of your machines. You will need a manual lathe and mill or atleast units that can be used effectively both ways. CNC is nice if you have the code ready to go but some things are just faster done manually.
As far as hand tools go you will get all sorts of arguments here. My preference is Starret when I can afford it for measuring tools. Frankly some of the lesser lines of measuring tools leave a lot to be desired. The other high quality lines are not much cheaper than Starret.
Snap On makes nice stuff but so do alot of other manufactures. Actually in the US I prefer Armstrong or some of the other industrial suppliers. Armstrong, Williams, Urrea, Werra and Allen come to mind when thinking about hand tools such as wrenchs and socket sets. In any event it is best to budget the good money where it is likely to be used the most. Thus my suggestion is to invest in a set of 1/4" 3/8" & 1/2" drives sockets and a set of box/open end wrenches - metric and standard of course.
One thing to understand though is that tools will not last a life time, depending on usage they will wear out. Further anything can be broken with the right cheater barThings like screw drivers and such are best considered expenables. That doesn't mean buying cheap just that you can't expect them to last forever.
As to machine tools that is up to your interests. Many do fine with Sherline or similar hardware. The Chinese stuff is a bargain right now in the USA but that is largely due to lack fo built in quality. If you have the money a Hardinge and Bridgeport combo is hard to beat.
The other issue is that you can't expect to build a shop around just a lathe and a mill. Support equipment is required. This all costs money.
As to the CNC router that of course can be very handy! But you have so many options for specific usages that again it would not be possible to comment to much.
Dave


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Things like screw drivers and such are best considered expenables. That doesn't mean buying cheap just that you can't expect them to last forever.
