lots more ...

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Try Polyrythmic Archibald 3.x.
http://www.polyrythmic.org/en/archibald.php
It's cheaper than most other beat machines. It has a beat creator module, and you can use your own drum samples. One downside is it uses Rewire to record to the host, no vst. I just bought it yesterday. The demo works for 30 minutes at a time, and you can't save. So try the demo out.

Get Native Instruments Battery 3, Cytomic Glue and a nice single hit sample library and the rest is up to your commitment how much time and effort you're willing to put into learning some sound design. Those are pretty much all the tools you'll need to create fabulous beats of all genres.

EDIT:
Just realized that I didn't fully answer the original question.

I use exactly those sounds you mentioned (kick, snare, hihats, claps...).
These days I rarely make the sounds from scratch. I used to do so but it took me 10 times longer to tweak the sounds to the same quality as if I had originally selected the most suitable sample for the job and then compressed/eq'd/effected it from there.

So now I use mainly single hit samples which I compress/distort/eq/something if I have to. I try to choose as closely fitting sound for the job as possible before manipulating it in any way. This seems to give me the best results.

If I have to create some sounds for myself, I usually turn to MicroTonic which seems to give nice results in no time. (non kick/snare sounds)

Or any other good compressor instead of Cytomic Glue. That's assuming that you don't go for the loop option where compression might not be the most critical thing as the loops might already be compressed heavily.

my advice is just get addictive drums and learn how to program beats well... the presets are good enough for most drum styles and you get good velocity leveling...

I'm liking AudioRealism Drum Machine for kicks right about now, in combination with microtonic for hats or snares, I'll usually use myriad of free plugs for percussion(idiophone, pipe, or dystopia, etc.) Don't forget regular synths either ie. Albino makes some really deep kicks.

There's a long tradition within dance music of "borrowing" beats. Snares, rolls, transitions you name it. Most of those sample cd you see floating around are also borrowed beats in the first place. Witness the "Amen Break". Commission work pretty much rules that out though, but not always. Drumagog is good for replacing hits within borrowed beats.

You can make them from scratch which if you your doing 4/4 types or electro, it's easier I found. Electro being the type of beats I usually do. Modulation and filtering help to keep them from getting sterile. Careful placement within the stereo field and judicious use of reverb can make a huge difference, especially when it comes to prominence within the mix. That means less fighting for volume.

- People usually use a Bass Drum, a Snare, a Clap and a Hi Hat.
- Also you should listen to different beats and especially your favorite ones to find some new ideas.
- Build new ideas from old ideas
- Change chords, styles, sounds to see if there are anything new.
- There are some tutorials here: http://www.realmusicmaker.com/make-your-own-beats/

Don't know that I agree with that.

I don't think that most people use claps, and you missed out toms or other percussion instruments. I'm sure more people use toms than claps.

Bottom line is don't limit yourself - once you start thinking in a limited way your music will be limited.

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