Craftsman 299 piece Easy Read Socket Set--$360--is this a good deal?

So I am looking to up my socket situation, which at this point is a cobbled together mixture of several different Craftsman sets spanning about 10 years of collecting. I have a number of holes, especially in larger sizes, and I was looking at this socket set from Craftsman (sockets only--no wrenches, no ratchets, just sockets.)

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...+piece+socket&sLevel=0&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

It's model number 35299 on the sears.com website if the link doesn't work.

Right now it's 10% off with free shipping, which works out to a $60 savings.

I am going to wind up with a lot of duplicates (obviously), but I like the fact is says this set is "every" Craftsman socket size made, and they are all the etched Easy-to-Read style (don't have any like that yet.)

It includes metric and SAE, 6 and 12 point in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2, shallow and deep, as well as some 8-point sockets in 1/2.

Would you jump on this, or would I be better off buying more bits and pieces as I need them? (I *hate* stopping a project on my truck to go and get parts...seems like I always spend too much money for knockoff quality at the auto parts store on a Sunday...)

Thanks for any advice--if there is a better SK deal or something I should look at, I'm not brand loyal. I only wrench for fun so money needs to be spent wisely and frugally...this kit just looks to include a lot of large sockets (especially metric) for a good price.

Given your situation I think this would be a smart way to go if your sockets are the big problem. I think you should be able to handle about anything you need to with that set. I also defy you to find a better price and guarantee for that many sockets in one set from anyone, (buying new only) if you wanted to take your time, use ebay, flea markets etc. I am sure you could do it cheaper that way, but it sounds like you are looking for a quick best bang for the buck answer to your problem and it looks to me as though you have found it.

Looks like there is a lot of the same sizes but in 6 point and 12 point.

jimvannoy said:

Looks like there is a lot of the same sizes but in 6 point and 12 point.

Click to expand...

Yes, but in different drive sizes.

Yah for that green, A "truck" tool brand would buy you maybe two sets of sockets, Depended on the drive size. I say go for it!!

Seems like a good deal to me. I didn't realize that they made one like that without requireing you to buy allen keys and whatnot.

The big question is will it fill up all the spots on the hansen trays?

Dang it! I just bought the 153 piece set not too long ago. If they had this up I would have bought it instead.

Thanks for the response guys! It seemed like a good deal to me, too, but I wanted to make sure I hadn't missed something better.

Sears has offered a giant sockets only set as we are discussing for years, it used to be in the tool catalog but I do not know if it has been there in recent times.