As a general rule of thumb I totally avoid anything that is basic Mastercraft, and will only look at the Maximum hand tools.
In my experience both regular Mastercraft and Maximum have variation over time and depending on the item -
I recently bought the 50 piece 1/4" socket set for work, and my first impressions have been very favourable. Really nice set, really complete. On sale for $50, I'd say it's very worth buying if your socket collection has any skips - it's a really nice complete set. Ratchet seems quite nice, too, was almost sorry I don't need another set for myself.
For any electric / cordless / pneumatic tools I haven't found either of them to be worthwhile. Better off with name brand, or for some air tools Princess Auto is decent (have yet to find an air tool where I thought that about Mastercraft).
For wrenches, I've had good results with all the Mastercraft stuff. The combo wrenches have been good with the Maximum and Mastercraft.
There's been a few years where Maximum branding was being used to sell some more gimmicky stuff, but that stuff seems to be on the way out at the moment.
The regular Mastercraft ratchets sucked, then were good, then sucked, then were good. Always good enough for occasional use, but variable.
Screwdrivers are pretty meh, both Maximum and Mastercraft.
I don't like the 2-component grip pliers, but my older vinyl dip ones have held up really well, and the new Maximum vinyl grip ones seem fine.
My dad bought a Mastercraft claw hammer as a spare and it's disappointing.
So I'd say they're selectively good buys for both Maximum and Mastercraft. Just don't buy anything that is branded Jobmate...
