I worked in cabinet shop in Montana and that was my introduction to hand and power tools.  That was 1990.  I bought tools for my own arsenal based on what I saw and experienced.  My old tools consist of Porter Cable, Milwaukee  Makita, Between routers, jig saws circular saws drills etc, I have noticed a significant drop in quality and an increase in cost.  99% of those tools are still completely functional and serve me well.  However, tools I have purchased from Lowe's over the past couple of years have FAILED drastically, burn out burn up.  To date my Harbor freight or Wood Workers Supply Catalog tools are out lasting brand names for less than half the cost.  Tools, my suggestion is buy yard sale or pawn shop.  The saw mill, was a $2000.00 purchase, The framing package alone for the house was 7,000 not to mention the sheeting, sub-floor and finished floor and siding etc