Portable Mechanic Set

[Whiskeymike]

I've read through similar threads, but didn't find any that compared these sets. I'm looking for a portable mechanic's set to keep in the pickup and I'm looking at these sets. Anyone have thoughts on which is best?

Husky Mechanics Tool Set - 270 pieces - $129 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-270-Piece-H270MTS/309161789
I like that they are guaranteed and can be swapped at any HD.

Craftsman 230 piece SAE/Metric Combination Mechanics Tool Set - 230 Pieces - $119 - https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN/5013302107
Versastack is nice, but I don't have any other versastack stuff.

I plan to keep everything in the case, so quality of the case does matter. Is there a better set like this out there for $200 or less?

 

[qqzj]

This is what you need. Add a 12mm wrench.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GK8ULY6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jsmeece]

I've read through similar threads, but didn't find any that compared these sets. I'm looking for a portable mechanic's set to keep in the pickup and I'm looking at these sets. Anyone have thoughts on which is best?

Husky Mechanics Tool Set - 270 pieces - $129 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-270-Piece-H270MTS/309161789
I like that they are guaranteed and can be swapped at any HD.

Craftsman 230 piece SAE/Metric Combination Mechanics Tool Set - 230 Pieces - $119 - https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN/5013302107
Versastack is nice, but I don't have any other versastack stuff.

I plan to keep everything in the case, so quality of the case does matter. Is there a better set like this out there for $200 or less?

If these are your only two choices, I would go with the Husky. It has more wrenches, more standard and deep sockets, and less bits.

 

[KSJeff]

I've had one similar to the Husky for 15 years. It's been great and I've seen it at $99 quite often. Might wait until Fathers Day gets a little closer if you can. Going to be a lot of sales. Good luck!

 

[sk farmer]

If these are your only two choices, I would go with the Husky. It has more wrenches, more standard and deep sockets, and less bits.

i kind of disagree. the husky is a good set but the cman blows it out of the water for usable sizes. if you want to talk about useless duplication in sockets, the husky is it, the 1/2 drive sizes stop at 19mm and 7/8 while the 3/8 sizes go to 22mm and 7/8. it is plain out stupid to include 1/2 drive sizes that don't expand out to larger sizes than the 3/8 much less not even cover the the same upper range as the 3/8. the husky may have a few more wrenches but it it has ridiculous amount of overlap in socket sizes and also 6 and 12 point overlap.

i looked long and hard at both and the cman set clearly offered more capabilty in a similar sized box that was better organised and offered more storage to add additional parts but everyones experiance may vary.

 

[qqzj]

Cman set has 12 point 1/2 drive sockets. Trash in my book. The DeWalt one is the real deal.

 

[Xcursion88]

I've read through similar threads, but didn't find any that compared these sets. I'm looking for a portable mechanic's set to keep in the pickup and I'm looking at these sets. Anyone have thoughts on which is best?

Husky Mechanics Tool Set - 270 pieces - $129 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-270-Piece-H270MTS/309161789
I like that they are guaranteed and can be swapped at any HD.

Craftsman 230 piece SAE/Metric Combination Mechanics Tool Set - 230 Pieces - $119 - https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN/5013302107
Versastack is nice, but I don't have any other versastack stuff.

I plan to keep everything in the case, so quality of the case does matter. Is there a better set like this out there for $200 or less?

It's really 6 to 5 and pick em'

These tools are the same tools...different names...but look very very closely at the ratchets....

Something seems awfully familiar looking there, no?

 

[boom_bap]

This is what you need. Add a 12mm wrench.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GK8ULY6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I picked up the 88 piece set a while back. The sockets are decent and have knurling. Came with SAE and standard. Only issue is that they do the overlapping with deeps between 1/4 and 3/8.


I'd piece a set together myself these days. Forget all the "Pieces" they load these days.

Idk if you need SAE but if you don't this is what I'd go for.

Capri 1/4 master socket set: $35 with pts when you sign up with a new account.
Tekton extensions 3/8 and 1/4: $50-100
Tekton 3/8 master set: $98
Sunex 2669 Master metric impact socket set: $97

Approx: $300

Way over your budget, but something to think about.

I suppose if it was a car only set I'd get a 3/8 chrome set and 10-19 wrenches and call it a day for $150.

Some people just throw Knipes pliers wrench and cobras in their car. Realistically that could probably get you out of a bind too.

 

[robert6715]

Both of those case's are horrible. The drawers don't stay in very well & you will quickly be using a ratchet strap around the box to keep the drawers in.

 

[tez929rr]

I've read through similar threads, but didn't find any that compared these sets. I'm looking for a portable mechanic's set to keep in the pickup and I'm looking at these sets. Anyone have thoughts on which is best?

Husky Mechanics Tool Set - 270 pieces - $129 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-270-Piece-H270MTS/309161789
I like that they are guaranteed and can be swapped at any HD.

Craftsman 230 piece SAE/Metric Combination Mechanics Tool Set - 230 Pieces - $119 - https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN/5013302107
Versastack is nice, but I don't have any other versastack stuff.

I plan to keep everything in the case, so quality of the case does matter. Is there a better set like this out there for $200 or less?

The Husky set is nice. I have bought three when they were on sale for $100 and use them for prizes at an annual church raffle. The case is such that everything will start coming loose with time so you will eventually need a different case or bag. I also am not a fan of the handle and bit set as opposed to drivers. If you do t need SAE sizes this set is an amazing deal, and the price only recently dropped below $200.

 

[jsmeece]

i kind of disagree. the husky is a good set but the cman blows it out of the water for usable sizes. if you want to talk about useless duplication in sockets, the husky is it, the 1/2 drive sizes stop at 19mm and 7/8 while the 3/8 sizes go to 22mm and 7/8. it is plain out stupid to include 1/2 drive sizes that don't expand out to larger sizes than the 3/8 much less not even cover the the same upper range as the 3/8. the husky may have a few more wrenches but it it has ridiculous amount of overlap in socket sizes and also 6 and 12 point overlap.

i looked long and hard at both and the cman set clearly offered more capabilty in a similar sized box that was better organised and offered more storage to add additional parts but everyones experiance may vary.

I didn't dive that deep into both sets, so I didn't notice the amount of overlapping sizes. But I would have to agree with you on your assessment on the overlap.

 

[KnurledNut]

I'd piece a set together myself these days.

 

[subroc]

Is this an emergency repair setup or are you trying to mirror your home/shop set up in some way? Or, does this set up have some other use like a set of tools to work off site?

 

[Bubba Fett]

Just sockets, wrenches, and bit sockets.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007WBOWPO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sk farmer]

Cman set has 12 point 1/2 drive sockets. Trash in my book. The DeWalt one is the real deal.

it is the real deal if you only need sizes at or below 1 inch and 24 mm.

i own the cman set and my buddy has the dewalt. i used his set a total of one time and guess what? it didn't have sizes large enough to do what was needed. it also takes up a pile of real estate just to open it up and use it, like most of a bench or most of the tailgate of your truck. the whole idea behind 1/2 drive sets is the capability to work on larger stuff. the bare minimums should be 1 1/4 and 32 mm.

1. if 1/2 drive does not expand your capabilities, **** can it and save the weight.

2. i get the distaste for 12 pt sockets in smaller sizes but the hazards of 12 pt pretty much disappear in quality sockets over 3/4 and 19mm. a 12 pt socket in the size i need always beats the 6 pt that is not included in the set.

if you know anything about sets these two statement are pretty much unarguable.

 

[sk farmer]

i am going to revise my opinion slightly the 230 pc versastack set is a slightly different set than what i have and appears to be new. i have the 216 pc versastack set and i know it has larger 1/2 drive sizes. i can't quite see what the 230 pc set has but it looks to have smaller sized sockets but adds some ignition wrenches.

an issue i have with nearly all of these sets is that finding out the actual contents is next to impossible. they tell you how many peices they have but leave you guessing to what they really are unless you have one in hand and can read the small print on the package.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Agreed. I've seen a lot of sets with 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets and sockets, but the 3/8 are almost all duplicated by the others. They rarely offer a set with everything you need, so you end of having to supplement it with another set, or add additional wrenches.

 

[Whiskeymike]

Is this an emergency repair setup or are you trying to mirror your home/shop set up in some way? Or, does this set up have some other use like a set of tools to work off site?

Yes, basically emergency and quick things like fix something on the mower where I don't want to take it to the shop. I have a full set in the shop, but I don't want to take those out as I lose stuff in the process. For whatever set I get, I'll also have a bag with the other things I need like a hammer, driver, variety of pliers, etc.. So I don't want to replicate the shop, but more grab and go.

 

[bigjeff94]

I have to say, the 301 piece pittsburgh pro kit from harbor freight is a pretty damn nice set. Some of the pieces like pliers and wrenches aren't great, but it is a very comprehensive socket set in one case.

 

[tarbellb]

Watch out, those cases are ****


I was in a similar situation, stocking my rental with a well rounded kit. I went with the Channellock set.

$107 shipped, liked the ratcheting wrenches and much smaller form factor. Decent quality

Channellock Professional Mechanic's Tool Set - 200 Piece Heavy Duty With Case 35794391515 | eBay

This comprehensive tool set is anchored by ANSI specified oval head design, reversible 72 gear-teeth ratchets covering ¼, ⅜ and ½" drives. All contents are housed in a durable carrying case for easy storage and easier portability.

www.ebay.com