If you're into tool collecting, or want to get into it, the first thing is to decide what you want to collect. Then, figure out how to buy the items, and catalog them to make sure you don't miss things you want for your collection.
Some approaches are:
Collect anything you get a good deal on. Don't worry about multiples, extras, just buy. Eventually, after 10 or 20 or 30 years of this, you graduate from a collector to a hoarder. You're kids won't like it.
Pick a brand you like, and buy anything you can get a good deal on. Similar to accumulator/hoarder, just slightly more focused.
Pick a brand, and try to get a comprehensive set without duplicates. Helps limit the hoarding tendancy, while maintaining some semblance of usability.
Pick a year and a brand, get a catalog from that year, and try to get each item in the catalog. This is particularly satisfying if you have a classic car and want to get an age appropriate set of tools to work on it with and complement your classic car collection.
Decide that your collecting will overlap with your potential use of the tools, and buy tools that you don't have that you may have a need for. Research brands and get what you want for each type of tool, based on how you will use it. This approach is more practical than strict collecting, but doesn't end up with much of a bragging rights collection.
Forego collecting, and decide you are really a user, not a collector. Buy the tools you need to do the type of work you want. Don't collect, but buy as you have needs or potential needs. This is the most practical approach, and not a popular approach here on Garage Journal. You can still get some good info here on the quality/cost/features/durability of the items you want. The danger in reading a lot here is you can easily get seduced into the "buy it and brag about it" mentality.
Personally, if I was in your situation, I'd be a user first, and put off any collecting until I have basic tools to use, and have extra cash to pursue collecting as a hobby, if I still had the interest. I'd buy the house maintenance basics: Good set of screwdrivers, good set of pliers, an adjustable crescent wrench, a claw hammer, a tape measure, a few putty knives/scrapers, a utility knife, a pry bar, drill and bits. Supplement that as you feel the need with a socket set, combination wrench set, other hammers and pliers, a small vise, and a hand or power saw. Then, if you do more than some basic house work, the possibillities open up and are endless. At that point, you will know what you want. If you get into woodworking, routers, saws, chisels, sanders, etc. become a need. If you get into metalworking, shears, welders, grinders, welders, vises, hammers, punches and chisels, drill press, etc. have to be acquired.
Good luck and welcome!
Good Luck!
