People wonder where the jobs are going, and why you can't get good domestically produced tools at a fair price anymore. Sometimes I have to wonder how many people realize the effect of EPA policies like this one, and if they would do something about it if they did realize it. Something like this basically puts domestic tool production on a silver platter and just hands it over to places like taiwan and china where they don't have these kind of ridiculous restrictions to deal with.
Sears 299 socket set $240.00 WHOA
- Thread starter Mekhanic1
- Start date
People wonder where the jobs are going, and why you can't get good domestically produced tools at a fair price anymore. Sometimes I have to wonder how many people realize the effect of EPA policies like this one, and if they would do something about it if they did realize it. Something like this basically puts domestic tool production on a silver platter and just hands it over to places like taiwan and china where they don't have these kind of ridiculous restrictions to deal with.
After about 3 years of owning this set, I'm up to about 1/3 of sockets that have developed rust on the outside chroming of the sockets. I return the ones that are rusting, of course, but it seems to continue with additional sockets.
With word about the chrome process being changed, I'm going to purchase the SK 1/4 and 3/8 sets. I'll keep the Craftsman 1/2 because it's so cost ineffective to purchase new 1/2" SK sockets plus they don't go to nearly the size Craftsman does.
Just a heads up for those thinking they're getting an awesome deal. Me personally, I can't take practically new, unused sockets just rusting after a couple months in some cases by sitting in a tool box. I even use the ZeRust toolbox liners from Lowe's that are supposed to prevent sockets and other things from rusting.
With word about the chrome process being changed, I'm going to purchase the SK 1/4 and 3/8 sets. I'll keep the Craftsman 1/2 because it's so cost ineffective to purchase new 1/2" SK sockets plus they don't go to nearly the size Craftsman does.
Just a heads up for those thinking they're getting an awesome deal. Me personally, I can't take practically new, unused sockets just rusting after a couple months in some cases by sitting in a tool box. I even use the ZeRust toolbox liners from Lowe's that are supposed to prevent sockets and other things from rusting.
Re: Sears 299 socket set $240.00 WHOA+ Now $30 points coupon image inside
In order to get anything 50% off with student discount you have to take in your card they hand out in class. I believe the 50% off was for tool storage IIRC.
In order to get anything 50% off with student discount you have to take in your card they hand out in class. I believe the 50% off was for tool storage IIRC.
Yea.... Because a few jobs for a very small percentage of the population is more important than pollution issues that effect a much greater number of people for a much greater number of years.
I don't know about you, but I don't want the water I drink, the air I breathe, and the fish I eat all poisoned because somebody in some factory complained that they couldn't adapt and find a different job.
I don't know about you, but I don't want the water I drink, the air I breathe, and the fish I eat all poisoned because somebody in some factory complained that they couldn't adapt and find a different job.
OutsideMachinist
Well-known member
Re: Sears 299 socket set $240.00 WHOA+ Now $30 points coupon image inside
A lot of people don't agree. But something is making the water rise here in Norfolk. Navy is spending millions of dollars trying to raise the piers and areas of the bases.
A lot of people don't agree. But something is making the water rise here in Norfolk. Navy is spending millions of dollars trying to raise the piers and areas of the bases.
When Mount Saint Helens erupted it put more CO2 and other pollutants in the air than all of man kind combined up to that point.
Sure things are bad and poisonous and you shouldn't just dump it in a lake. That's why there are proper procedures, if a company breaks the law then close that one company. Nuclear wastes is worse than anything banned so far, I don't see the US stopping all nuclear plants.
Paint already ***** with the new banned stuff you can't add to it, so now chrome plating will **** too.
Sorry, I won't post anymore, since we are way off the Good Deals topic!!!!
Sure things are bad and poisonous and you shouldn't just dump it in a lake. That's why there are proper procedures, if a company breaks the law then close that one company. Nuclear wastes is worse than anything banned so far, I don't see the US stopping all nuclear plants.
Paint already ***** with the new banned stuff you can't add to it, so now chrome plating will **** too.
Sorry, I won't post anymore, since we are way off the Good Deals topic!!!!
I'm not suggesting these chemicals should be allowed to pollute anything. I'm suggesting proper containment procedures could be required. It's not necessary to ban production and use of it, just keep it out of the environment, and you've accomplished the same thing.
rob1200
Well-known member
Guys, guys, guys... if your post is not about the Craftsman 299-piece socket set, please post somewhere else. You are going to get this thread closed.
bcradio
Well-known member
I am with you here.
I wish I could find a completely comprehensive 1/2" only set like they offer with this 299pc set. I want this set only for the 1/2" portion, but really don't care for the other sizes as I am very well covered on them already. Like you said though, it is very pricy though for the larger sizes.
06 DIESEL
Well-known member
I have had this set for about 5 years now, and do not have a single rusty socket in the set. They are in the garage inside my box on Hansen trays. The temp in the garage is close to the outside temp, no heat or a/c unless we fire up the fans or the pellet stove.
If I could justify getting another one of these sets it would already be on the way.
Re: Sears 299 socket set $240.00 WHOA+ Now $30 points coupon image inside
How did anyone get this with their student id? I tried last night, but was told I would have to pay full list price to order it to the store, and then they would adjust the price once it came in.
Guys were very helpful, even gave me the card with the 50% off codes, but said it's a special order situation.
How did anyone get this with their student id? I tried last night, but was told I would have to pay full list price to order it to the store, and then they would adjust the price once it came in.
Guys were very helpful, even gave me the card with the 50% off codes, but said it's a special order situation.
Re: Sears 299 socket set $240.00 WHOA+ Now $30 points coupon image inside
Just got my set. Checked a few sockets in each bag, and they were made in the USA. Haven't checked for any AWOL sockets yet, but am very excited about the set.
Actually got the set for $161.68, without using any points! Definitely made my day.
Just got my set. Checked a few sockets in each bag, and they were made in the USA. Haven't checked for any AWOL sockets yet, but am very excited about the set.
Actually got the set for $161.68, without using any points! Definitely made my day.
JDon99
Well-known member
Re: Sears 299 socket set $240.00 WHOA+ Now $30 points coupon image inside
How did you do that?
How did you do that?
Josey Wales
Well-known member
This^^^
Pig In A Poke
Well-known member
Anyone know how this set differs from the 308 piece set that is $25 cheaper?
The 308 comes with 9 extensions that the 299 doesn't.
mmack66
Well-known member
Proper containment procedures were already required and companies decided to just do what they wanted with it anyway because of the hassle.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
PARTS LIST FOR 308 PIECE SOCKET ACCESSORY SET W/EXTENSION BARS #35831
http://download.sears.com/misc/spin_prod_737096312.pdf
PARTS LIST FOR 299 PIECE SOCKET ACCESSORY SET #35299
http://download.sears.com/misc/IL35299.pdf
Proper containment procedures were already required and companies decided to just do what they wanted with it anyway because of the hassle.
If the problem is a company disregarding the law, then the problem will not be solved by making a new law. The problem will be solved by enforcement of the exisiting law. Hold the company responsible for cleanup, and criminal and civil penalties for violations.
mmack66
Well-known member
They do that to, but by the time the chemicals are in the ground, and possibly in the groundwater, it's too late.
There's been a couple of movies about the problem.
As requested, here are the pictures of what I received. Pulled out one 24mm 12-point socket to compare to a US made one I have.
You can see that the manufacturing on the inside is not as nice as the US made socket. You can also see that the end of the socket is not completely round. There is a dent that got finished over. They would probably work fine but the defect on the one part I pulled out didn't give me confidence as to the quality of the rest of them. Again, YMMV.
U.S. Made Craftsman on the left. Chinese one on the right.
Thanks for posting the pics! Look at the finish of the offshore CM, it's better than the USA ones i received! I like the close up's of inside the socket.
To report, I bought my set online in Oct 14'. Finally got around to doing a inventory:
_ All 299 pieces are accounted for.
_ 3 have missing info of some sort ie laser etching or stamping
(still totally usable)
_ All look very nice and super pumped to have this set before USA made stock is/was gone.
Thanks for the heads up, glad I jumped on the set. Now I need to invest in the organizer that the others have posted.
_ All 299 pieces are accounted for.
_ 3 have missing info of some sort ie laser etching or stamping
(still totally usable)
_ All look very nice and super pumped to have this set before USA made stock is/was gone.
Thanks for the heads up, glad I jumped on the set. Now I need to invest in the organizer that the others have posted.
bigboost
Well-known member
You're a lucky one, I didn't have my set 2 months before they started developing rust on practically all of them.
I have to oil them pretty regularly to keep them from rusting, meanwhile my junk HF set I had prior to this set is pristine, oh the irony.
Pig In A Poke
Well-known member
I ordered three sets hoping to get a USA set but no luck; so I returned the other two.
lithdoc
Well-known member
late to the game here... Is it even possible to get these 299 sets USA made anymore? Thanks!
It's rolling the dice as this point. But the finish on the offshore set looks fantastic. I wouldn't worry either way. I got a USA set and the finish isn't the best, but it's still good.
There is Kobalt 300 piece set at Lowes for around $129 before you get any 10% Lowes coupon . . .
. . . OR instead 20% or 25% coupon from Harbor Freight if you're aggressive at the customer service counter !!
Not sure if that is China or Taiwan set.The few sockets I looked at did look good. But I returned the set, really wanted some US made sockets.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
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wkndwarrior29
Well-known member
I bought the 308 piece set a few weeks ago (on sale cheaper than the 299).
Made in China
1 socket was incorrect and 8 had incomplete finish on the interior. No issues getting replacements sent - the replacements were US made.
The easy read label is very inconsistently placed and on some of them hard to read. - you would expect it to be placed so it can be easily read when on a socket rail but that's not the case.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with them. My only regret was not buying the set years ago.
My only disappointment in the set was organizing them, I had really wanted a single drawer organizer from foamfittools but the dimensions of my drawer were more narrow and deeper. Unfortunately, the statement on the website about modifying a design at little to no extra cost is a lure and they quoted me $230 for an adaptation of their $90 liner due to extensive computer work required.
Check out the picture, I organized them with 9 sets of the HF plastic rails which I am very satisfied with - I keep the most frequently used size rails laying down. I also attached a picture of the easy read labels - I would have expected them to all be perpendicular to the rail.
Attachments
Very informative post for people that need it. Good job.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
but that would make them....easy to read.
Not to argue with you but I would like to hear this review after owning them for longer than a few weeks. Please check back with us in a few months once these have had the chance to be put to the test before we could really trust these.
I agree too I should have been buying these years ago before all the china business.
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USA sets have/had identical "issues". People just need to keep in mind that its a super cheap set. Not many places you can get a socket set like it at less than a dollar a piece regardless of COO.
I said it once in this thread though, but i'll say it again. The set is massive overkill for the home do-it-yourselfer. Wish I took the ~$300 and purchased a couple SK sets instead. Far nicer product and sizes/drives you'll use 99% of the time. For a starter mechanic I think this Cman set is a great way to start primarily to equip you with seldom used sizes you might otherwise pay a premium for or not have on hand. I feel the same way about the raised panel wrench sets that offer the large sizes. Great buy for a workable product just to have it on hand.
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wkndwarrior29
Well-known member
I agree 100% on the quality and use. I am not a mechanic so it is definitely overkill, but there was that one time last year when I had my truck half apart and needed a socket I didn't have - and that will never happen again.