How can I make a Bootable OSX USB Drive

Looking for instructions on how to make a bootable OSX USB thumb drive?
My mid 2009 MacBook Pro has a bad Hard Drive and I am going to start over with a new one. I keep getting an error message attempting to install on the current hard drive. In order to make it easier I would like to make a bootable USB Thumb drive get a new hard drive and start from scratch.
ALSO - any hard drive recomendations would be greatly apprecieated. (vendor and MFG)
Thanks

Arthur-
thanks, I never use WD. I used to work in computers and the WD drive was the most failed drive we would see. I only ask because I guess at some point I did not build the current drive correctly causing damage. I am starting to think about a new computer due to the optical drive now being dead as well.
My only concern about a SSD is the transfer rate. From what I have looked at the current config for a mid 2009 MBP will not get the max speed out of a SSD due to the wire rating in the machine. Any thoughts on a normal disk HD?
Thanks

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How can I make a Bootable OSX USB Drive

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