Craftsman 309 Pc Vs Kobalt 300 Pc Set?

[STR1PES]

Ok.

Sears has a deal that after coupon stacking I can get the 309 pc Craftsman set out the door for roughly 170-175 bucks
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-309-pc-mechanic-s-tool-set/p-00941309000P

Kobalt sometimes has this 300 piece set for roughly 150 - 200 when on sale.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_220886-22328-86212_0__?productId=4640235&Ntt=kobaly+mechanic+set&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dkobaly%2Bmechanic%2Bset&facetInfo=

I'm a tool noob and can wait, but if did buy, which would you guys vote for if they were both priced about the same?

Thanks!

 

[Elvenhome21]

craftsman set 100%, it looks like you get more usable tools in that set along with ratcheting wrenchs.

 

[strutaeng]

Ok.

Sears has a deal that after coupon stacking I can get the 309 pc Craftsman set out the door for roughly 170-175
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-309-pc-mechanic-s-tool-set/p-00941309000P

Kobalt sometimes has this 300 piece set for roughly 150 - 200 when on sale.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_220886-22328-86212_0__?productId=4640235&Ntt=kobaly+mechanic+set&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dkobaly%2Bmechanic%2Bset&facetInfo=

I'm a tool noob and can wait, but if did buy, which would you guys vote for if they were both priced about the same?

Thanks!

I think the Craftsman is a steal at $170-175, especially if most of the set is US made. That is a lot of useful tools for the money...although you'd propably want to add a nice long-handled ratchet or two (Proto, Williams, Wright, etc.) because the those raised panel ratchets are not much for moderate to high torque...

good luck

 

[e-tek]

Hard to go wrong with CM!!
That first review is really good - tells you all you need to know.

 

[shoturtle]

Not sure if you are a COO addit. So I will give you the COO just incase.

The craftsmans are mostly USA made stock in the kits except for the ratchet wrenches and depending on the age the ratchets could be china or usa. The kolbalt are made in taiwan. Kolbalt you get standard combo wrenches, craftsman you get ratcheting wrenches made in asia. The kolbalt has the much nicer fine tooth 72t ratchets. The craftsmans are 36t. The chrome is nicer on the taiwan made kolbalt socket then the USA made craftsman socket. But quality are equal with the sockets. The craftsman gives you more hex bit socket vs the kolbalt. Kobalt gives you a breaker bars that is excluded in the craftsman set. Craftsman gives you 4 sized of spark plug sockets, kolbalt you get 2 sizes. Both have a fair amount of fillers with screwdriver bits and hex keys and nut driver bits.

Quality wise they are pretty equal. Both have excellent no hassle warranties.

 

[Brownsfan]

The ratchets are much better in the Kobalt set. The craftsman set looks like it has more tools you can use often. If I remember your other thread you said you had a lowes gc for like 200? I would get the Kobalt on sale and buy some fillers to make it more complete.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I'd personally get the Kobalt set... Especially if you're keeping the tools long term.

 

[PT Doc]

Cm. If you want better ratchets get some later.

 

[shoturtle]

a complete set of better ratchet down the line with the kobalt quality is going to be about 100 dollars for a 72t set in all 3 sizes. For collector not a big deal, for someone not looking to collect but want a fine tooth ratchet at the get go. Hard to beat the kolbalt offering.

But you can add the craftsman 60t slim profile down the line on sale for 60 bulks on sale.

 

[pipsters]

The thing I like about the smaller Craftsman sets is the box/storage organizer they come in. I think that 300 pc set will be all loose. Not a big deal for some but I know when I got my first Craftsman set I needed it to be self contained.

That large Craftsman set though, by looking at the tool list, should cover pretty much anything you'd ever come across except maybe some axle sockets, just pick those up at AAP on loan when it comes time, or buy the $50 set at Harbor Freight.

 

[matt1977]

kobalt hands down

 

[jeffk14]

Hard to go wrong with CM!!
That first review is really good - tells you all you need to know.

Really??? That first guy reviewing the CM set sounded like he was looking for **** to ***** about to me.

Aaaany way, I'd go with the CM, keeping in mind that you may not like the ratchets all that much. They're clunky and, IIRC, are only 36 or so teeth.

I don't like the Kobalt/Danaher/Titan ratchets either though. They have a nice action and are fine-tooth, but the heads are too thick/"tall" for my liking.

 

[STR1PES]

Thanks Guys.

i decided to hold out for the Kobalt set when it goes on sale since it has 72 point.

Thanks!

 

[oldldh]

Craftsman is the plan...

Useful and decent quality...

 

[TinKnocker]

i bought the craftsman. i wasnt happy the ratchet wrenches were taiwan but they are great quality none the less. customer support was great when a few of the sockets weren't in the box. the ratchets are typical CM, good enough for me to break and rebuild.

 

[sberry]

Its a shame Cman let the ratchet sour the deal for so long. How much would have it cost to fix or did it bring people back to thestore for returns ha. I agree about the usable pieces to that set though, even though it might not be some award winning quality it is so insanely cheap they near give it away. Its close to disposable pricing. The risk and investment to the customer is low, risk of loss low.

Has anyone ever priced equivelent off the truck retail?