Would you buy a Craftsman starter set?

[bobcatdan]

I never liked big tool sets. Smaller socket sets in one drive size are fine and wrench sets are ok. Craftsman always puts a lot of filler in their sets. Who uses nutdrivers? You end up with 3 sets of the same sizes sockets. I like piecing a tool set together, that way I have what I want in a set. I will conceded some set of their sets in the plastic cases would work good as truck kit you can toss behind the seat. Just my two cents.

 

[ceekaymark]

I voted yes. If I had to start over again for some reason and needed a pretty full tool set quickly, this is the way I would go. Then upgrade to snap on ratchets, and upgrade the wrenches and screwdrivers as I could afford to. All my SAE sockets are still craftsman. Never felt a need to upgrade to snap on when I use them infrequently.

I didn't read through every post in this thread, but another option may be the blue point general service set. More money, but I feel like you'd be a good ways ahead.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=77864&group_ID=20241&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[PETE14]

Another vote for yes.

There is one thing that really bugs me about the newer sockets. At some point a few years ago, they changed the profile of the square end. It used to be just a square, with an indent on each face for the ball detent in the ratchet / extension / whatever to lock into. That worked great. No problems at all.
Now with the new design, its very easy to try to push the socket on to the ratchet with it being mis-aligned. A real dumb *** design, IMHO. I wish they never changed that. That's my only beef.

Pete

 

[kythri]

its very easy to try to push the socket on to the ratchet with it being mis-aligned.

Huh?

 

[BloodySinner]

No, only because I have become such a tool snob. If it's not a truck brand (i.e.: Snap-On), and made in the USA, I want nothing to do with it.

 

[JLee1469]

Great value, lifetime warranty can't beat that. Just bought the 309 pc for $200 so I can stop using my dads. I think your set is better because all the sockets are 6pt. Combine with a few "passable" HF pieces you'll have a complete budget set that can be easily exchanged.

 

[Steevo]

Although my box is pretty complete, it's built from hand me downs and sets of wrenches or sockets as I could afford them. Some are questionable quality as I couldn't afford good brands at times (say when I needed some deep sockets, etc). So, I've been thinking of just starting clean with a Craftsman set and handing this stuff down to my son (he's 7 now). Really, who doesn't open the Craftsman catalog and get all starry eyed at this...

Holy ****! That is a big set! I think I counted something like 22 ratchets in that picture.

 

[catfish]

Thanks for the link , it seems like sears ships internationally now.
As for the set it seems like a pretty good deal to me.

 

[LawnDart79]

I bought a set very similar to the one in the OPs link around 15 years ago when I started tech school. I eventually upgraded the ratchets and combination wrenches to Snap-On, but I still use the rest of it. (sockets, extensions, screwdrivers, etc.)

Craftsman sets are a good value. If you're a guy just starting out, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Craftsman set.

 

[Roots]

I bought a set very similar to the one in the OPs link around 15 years ago when I started tech school. I eventually upgraded the ratchets and combination wrenches to Snap-On, but I still use the rest of it. (sockets, extensions, screwdrivers, etc.)

Craftsman sets are a good value. If you're a guy just starting out, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Craftsman set.

+1, I started out with a Craftsman starter set as well, and it served me well for years. When you're young, starting out, or short on coin; it's one of the best values out there IMHO. It's hard to beat the selection you get with the $100-240 sets they have, especially when you pick them up on sale.

 

[Coach James]

I never liked big tool sets. Smaller socket sets in one drive size are fine and wrench sets are ok. Craftsman always puts a lot of filler in their sets. Who uses nutdrivers? You end up with 3 sets of the same sizes sockets. I like piecing a tool set together, that way I have what I want in a set. I will conceded some set of their sets in the plastic cases would work good as truck kit you can toss behind the seat. Just my two cents.

I use them quite often. At least once a week I use them.

Coach

 

[jhn9840]

Bought a starter set from Sears in the mid 70's. Added to it through the years but I still use them to this day. Had to vote yes.

jhn9840
John

 

[smokey0066]

My first set of tools was also a craftsman mechanics set that I picked up during my late teens. I say yes if you're starting out and as many have said add to it as you see fit.

 

[Danglerb]

Good idea, WRONG set, WRONG time.

BF will have similar for half that price. I bought the 154pc all 6pt no junk items like bits or allen wrenches, for $89 during BF, thats less than 50 cents per item. Plan at the time was to sell the RP ratchets, haven't gotten around to it yet.

I've heard the 14 or 16 pc nut driver set is $9.95 on BF, planning on adding that this year.

 

[Squankum]

Good idea, WRONG set, WRONG time.

BF will have similar for half that price. I bought the 154pc all 6pt no junk items like bits or allen wrenches, for $89 during BF, thats less than 50 cents per item. Plan at the time was to sell the RP ratchets, haven't gotten around to it yet.

I've heard the 14 or 16 pc nut driver set is $9.95 on BF, planning on adding that this year.

BF? Huh? Bigfoot doesn't sell tools! The sasquatch hasn't even been spotted using tools!

Well, maybe he does on the night after Thanksgiving. So much is still unknown...

 

[Sage55]

BF? Huh? Bigfoot doesn't sell tools! The sasquatch hasn't even been spotted using tools!

Well, maybe he does on the night after Thanksgiving. So much is still unknown...

LoL, I was thinking the same thing... who is BF?

 

[Outlawmws]

LoL, I was thinking the same thing... who is BF?

Not who; what.

BF = Black Friday.

 

[TWX]

For the original poster, yes, this is a great starter set to buy. All big tools, no cheating by adding small, nearly-useless **** like some of the sets have.

There are a few things to add as others have said- either some regular screwdrivers, or if space is a concern, a magnet-tipped bit driver and several phillips and flathead bits of various sizes, along with probably some allen and torx bits, and definitely pliers... slip joint, needlenose, smooth rounded, as well as a snipper or dikes, and probably a couple of bigger channel-locks type adjustable-jaw pliers. Probably a good utility knife too.

I too am looking to start my tool collection and am up in the air on getting either Snap-on or Craftsman.

I'm subscribing to this thread as I'm interested in hearing what others think. From what I've seen it seems Craftsman tool sets adds a lot of other small tools and of course are counted as an individual tool.

A good example is this 209pc Mechanic's set - notice FOUR sets of small L hex wrenches and each "wrench" of course is counted as one.

Does one REALLY need that many tiny wrenches? For me I already have a nice set of T-bar metric and standard wrenches as well as a set of Craftsman hex wrenches so buying a set like above that includes four more sets seems silly.

I'm curious is it really worth buying the kits or just buy the tools separately getting the tools you NEED. Sears is always having sales every week on tools.

I would go with the set the OP found, as you can buy allen wrenches, ignition wrenches, and all kinds of other small tool sets as you need them for fairly good prices. Only headache is if you only have the starter set's toolbox, which might not have the carrying capacity. At that point it's time for a nice toolbox anyway.

 

[Sage55]

I'll keep an eye on that set then, hopefully BF will have some good sales.

 

[Fedwrench]

I wouldn't hesitate to get that set on sale.

It's a starter set. It's not meant to the all encompassing set to end all other tool purchases.

The set linked has a great selection of 6 point sockets. It also lacks things like allen wrenches, ignition wrenches, or a 27 piece magnetic screwdriver set, which drive to piece count up but, don't really add value to the set.
I think that's the key point when looking at Sears sets, don't get hung up on the number of pieces in a given set but, concentrate on how often you'll use each of those pieces to determine which set gives you the best bang for your dollar.

 

[jhelrey]

I cannot find the set I bought but it came with 3 ratchets, upteen million 6pt sockets, and about a dozen 6pt wrenches. It was a great set!

 

[expfcwintergreen]

Good idea, WRONG set, WRONG time.

BF will have similar for half that price. I bought the 154pc all 6pt no junk items like bits or allen wrenches, for $89 during BF, thats less than 50 cents per item. Plan at the time was to sell the RP ratchets, haven't gotten around to it yet.

I've heard the 14 or 16 pc nut driver set is $9.95 on BF, planning on adding that this year.

----------------------
This is the Craftsman set I bought because it didn't have filler items and had 6 pt. sockets. It is good to add 3/8 and 1/2 inch breaker bars to keep from stressing the ratchets and a small set of 12 pt 3/8 inch drive sockets for close quarters work. I paid $150 for the 154 piece set.

 

[mrpizza]

I vote yes. I bought the set that is one level above this a couple years ago, it comes will a whole set of 12pt sockets as well. I think its the 383pc set. I did that because I have a volkswagen and there are 12pt bolts on it in several places, so I got it out of necessity. Go for it!

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

I vote yes. I started with a craftsman 302 piece tool set and I was very pleased with it. I still have most of the sockets that came with that set and use them almost every day. I use the wrenches but the rest is kinda fluf (I did like the ratchets but I replaced them. I now use the included slimline ratchets at home)

For the money I payed for it I am verry pleased Almost a compleate set of 1/4 in both 6 and 12pt a full set of 3/8 and the better part of a 1/2 set and wrenches all the way up to 15/16 replace the screwdrivers and grab yourself some extensions and its a nice little kit.

Good luck with whatever you chose
Sean Scott