I'm in the industrial and commercial side of things and a few of my favorite tools are
1. Channellock 440 tongue and groove pliers. They are cheap and solid. I use them as a hammer sometimes (beating on locknuts). I use them for 1/2" to 2" pipe.
2. Ideal reflex super T-strippers
3. Klein demolition screw driver.
4. Klein 11 in 1 screwdriver
I buy mostly American made and think Klein and Ideal are great, but Milwaukee has a lot of affordable innovative options that are made overseas.