Best tool set under $600?

[Steel_Rain]

 

[ecotec]

What's the current record on a necropost? This one's definitely in the running.

But Sears is, probably, not the answer to this question anymore…

 

[twisted99]

I stumbled on this thread via a google search for lists of Craftsman socket numbers, and was like "I think thats the set i bought a million years ago".

 

[Steel_Rain]

To answer this in 2025:

Mega budget:

https://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-tool-set-301-piece-63464.html

Or

Master Technicians Tool Set, 428 Piece

Amazing deals on this 428Pc Master Technicians Toolset at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

If you had more money (a lot more money):

Auto Mechanic Core Bundle | TEKTON®

We intended this bundle to be a starting place for auto mechanics looking to build out a complete tool collection.

www.tekton.com

or

Husky 1/4 in., 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. Drive Master Mechanics Tool Set with Impact Sockets (1025-Piece) H1025MTSPORM - The Home Depot

Complete your hardest jobs easily and quickly with the selection of this highly durable Husky 21-Mechanics Tool Set.

www.homedepot.com

Really, $600 bucks back when this thread was started (2008, Bush was still in Office, let that sink in) is like $900-1000 today.

I will leave SO/Mac/Matco/Cornwall/KTC/Koken out of the chat for $$$ reasons.

 

[tarbellb]

17yrs later and Harbor Freight has totally eclipsed SEARS

 

[Steel_Rain]

For context, here are both websites from May 2008:





The world really has changed since back then.

 

[Snaparxon]

Was a nice flashback of banned members, most of the posters aren't even active here anymore.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I bought this set in 2008 or2009. Still have it and now trying to duplicate it as I have the original set in my tool box. Im mostly there.

If you're looking to replace that set, this is what you get

CRAFTSMAN OVERDRIVE 284-Piece Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set, Standard SAE/Metric Socket Set, with Hard Case (CMMT99284)​

Amazon.com: CRAFTSMAN OVERDRIVE 284-Piece Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set, Standard SAE/Metric Socket Set, with Hard Case (CMMT99284) : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: CRAFTSMAN OVERDRIVE 284-Piece Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set, Standard SAE/Metric Socket Set, with Hard Case (CMMT99284) : Tools & Home Improvement

a.co

For some reason it went on crazy sale. You can get it at Amazon. I picked up my set at my local Ace store

I've watched this set for a long time and it just never goes on sale and then out of nowhere it dropped $100 in price.

It's very complete for sockets. And it has a decent set of wrenches with it.

 

[Wamsutta]

Wow, look at all these old names. Uncle Buck, eschoendorff, Stuey, nissan_crawler, wrenchr, and billymade. I miss all those guys.

They were some great people.

And then you have Fedwrench! You can't kill a Fedwrench! He'll live forever!

 

[twisted99]

If you're looking to replace that set, this is what you get

CRAFTSMAN OVERDRIVE 284-Piece Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set, Standard SAE/Metric Socket Set, with Hard Case (CMMT99284)​

Amazon.com: CRAFTSMAN OVERDRIVE 284-Piece Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set, Standard SAE/Metric Socket Set, with Hard Case (CMMT99284) : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: CRAFTSMAN OVERDRIVE 284-Piece Gunmetal Chrome Mechanics Tool Set, Standard SAE/Metric Socket Set, with Hard Case (CMMT99284) : Tools & Home Improvement

a.co

For some reason it went on crazy sale. You can get it at Amazon. I picked up my set at my local Ace store

I've watched this set for a long time and it just never goes on sale and then out of nowhere it dropped $100 in price.

It's very complete for sockets. And it has a decent set of wrenches with it.

Ive already started the replacement set, with an incomplete one i bought at a garage sale for $50. It's one of the pics I posted. Its mostly complete, except for the unicorns. And the combination wrenches are 12 point, not 6. But more than enough for a travel set. The set I bought at the garage sale got me buying more craftsman sockets. Maybe too much?

 

[twisted99]

Was a nice flashback of banned members, most of the posters aren't even active here anymore.

Unfortunately I wasnt a member back then, I only discovered this site 3 years ago. Yesterday while looking for a non tool owners manual i found the parts list for my 145 pc set

 

[KnurledNut]

Wow, look at all these old names. Uncle Buck, eschoendorff, Stuey, nissan_crawler, wrenchr, and billymade. I miss all those guys.

They were some great people.

And then you have Fedwrench! You can't kill a Fedwrench! He'll live forever!

@Fedwrench
Even Merk showed up here at least once!

 

[Aaron_W]

For context, here are both websites from May 2008:





The world really has changed since back then.

Wow you can still buy almost the same Pittsburg set for the same (non sale) price. HF has a 64 piece 1/4, 3/8, 1/2" Pittsburg set for $39.99.
Of course back then it was probably perpetually on sale so in reality it is about $10 more 18 years later, but even with the new HF sales rotation you can get it at the 2008 price from time to time.

 

[corradishop]

I receive catalogs and offers for workshop tools every month, even though I don't sell those items. If only I'd ever really understood who makes what and where... Go ahead and explain the difference to me on the same piece, same shape, size, finish thickness, packaging, and one tells me country X, the other country Y, but the brand is Z, and the price varies from 1 to 6. Someone really prove to me that the 6-piece wrench is really worth 6 times the 1-piece wrench. Years ago, I would have bought Hazet without a problem, and my dad's wrenches have been working for 50 years. Today, I'm no longer sure.
You never know, something might arrive at the workshop that doesn't match your toolbox...