Craftsman Mechanics set

[M. Blue 240]

I was saving up gift cards for a tool chest, but have since decided they would be better spent on a tool set. I have more than enough screwdrivers and a set of Kobalt metric wrenches that can stay in the nice tool box, nothing in sae. I also have no use for any sort of vacuum formed box that might come with a set.

I looked on craftsman.com for sets around $100 and there isn't 1 or 2 choices, theres something like 20 different sets. So knowing what I already have and what i don't need any advice to narrow down my choices?

I figure tons of standard and deep sockets, a few different size ratchets, two sets of wrenches(sae and metric), don't need allen wrenches or screwdrivers, and don't really have use for a case.

 

[kythri]

The vast majority of those sets come with filler like Allen wrenches and most also have blow-molded cases, so you may need to compromise a bit.

When you say "nothing in sae", does that mean that you have nothing in SAE, you want nothing in SAE, or both?

 

[M. Blue 240]

When you say "nothing in sae", does that mean that you have nothing in SAE, you want nothing in SAE, or both?

I don't really have anything in sae right now.

I shopped on line and narrowed it down to 4 sets, but I wasn't happy not knowing exactly what was in each box. I went to the store and found three of the 4 sets. I couldn't find the 303 piece unit in the store and a clerk couldn't find it in the system anywhere.

Any ideas why 303 tools would only be $100 and 309 tools is $200(on black Friday)? Out of the ones I found I like the 309 set best, but why spend $100 more?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/Compare?storeId=10153&catalogId=12605&pageNum=2&filter=storeOrigin%7CSears&viewItems=50&sortOption=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&partNumber_1=009C0593000B&partNumber_2=00933192000P&partNumber_3=00935255000P&partNumber_4=00941309000P&prodCount=4

 

[packofqtips]

the 309 set has ratcheting wrenches

 

[BajaBound]

Buy the biggest one you can with the least amount of useless tools.

 

[njride]

try to get the sets with the least filler content(allen wrenches, ****** screwdriver handles and tips, etc) and try to get the set with mostly 6 point shallow and deep sockets. You seem to have the general idea.

When I bought mine around ten years ago they did offer a set without all the filler, just read the contents carefully. If you can, leave out the plastic case with the fragile plastic clasps. They are garbage, mine broke almost immediately. The ones with the plastic draws that slide out might be ok for a cheap roadbox though.

 

[packofqtips]

if you have cash keep searching craigslist

 

[BajaBound]

Two friends rely on the plastic box with the slide drawers for their tools in Baja they are stout and come with good stuff.

 

[kythri]

If you want to stay cheap and avoid filler, watch for a sale on this kit:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934142000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

No bits, no Allen wrenches, etc. It goes on sale a couple times a year for $90-$100.

The only kind of sucky part is the combo wrenches have 6pt box ends. I like having some of those on hand, but not as a primary set of wrenches.

Other than that, if you're willing to pay, the $300-$500 kits are typically an incredible value when you break down what you're actually getting in them.

 

[M. Blue 240]

If you want to stay cheap and avoid filler, watch for a sale on this kit:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934142000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

That set looked really good and I was going to wait for it to go on sale...then a Black Friday ad popped up.

I glanced at the Sears website for shits and giggles when I saw their 200pc set. The price tag of $120 was nice and it had more sockets than the set listed above. When I checked out the website knocked off an extra $20 and I got free shipping. The kicker though was my gift cards totaled $99, so I had to pay $0.99 with my debit card.

Now to impatiently wait a week for my new tools to show up.

The set I got:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00933200000P

 

[volunteers]

I had this 200pc set and returned, coz there are many 12pt sockets there and the 1/2'' size socket are so limited.

That set looked really good and I was going to wait for it to go on sale...then a Black Friday ad popped up.

I glanced at the Sears website for shits and giggles when I saw their 200pc set. The price tag of $120 was nice and it had more sockets than the set listed above. When I checked out the website knocked off an extra $20 and I got free shipping. The kicker though was my gift cards totaled $99, so I had to pay $0.99 with my debit card.

Now to impatiently wait a week for my new tools to show up.

The set I got:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00933200000P