Sears GC's... what should I buy?!?!?!

[Mugenlude]

OK, so over the last year I've collected these Sear's GC (about $300) for b-days and x-mas. I told everyone to stop with the Sears GC's but no such luck ...

Anyways, I'm looking for people's suggestions on quality tools that can be purchased at Sears.

I race cars on the weekends, so I mostly use mechanic's tools in metric, but they don't need to be top of line as I'm not doing this as a day job. I have all of the sockets, ratchets, wrenches, organizers, etc. that I need. The problem I'm running into is every time I come here to see if anything is any good I end up with suggestions of other brands...

Here are some things like I can think of that I need or need to replace, but anything else you think is worth purchasing at Sears I'm all ears for...

1/2" Torque Wrench
I've had several of the plastic handle click type, they don't seem to last, lots of recommendations on PI piece from ToolTopia.

Bench Vise
Sears has some Wilton and Yost, I assume the less expensive Wilton is Chinese... Something tells me I should look for something used.

Punch Set
the CMan don't seem to be recommended...

Hex Key Storage


The Thread Restore Kit is already on my list...


So you have $300 to spend on tools at Sears, what do you get????

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Send the money to me........ their tools are worthless.....


Just kidding...
i would buy those new craftsman ratchets,IE the 84 teeth ones..
I would buy the 19.2 1/2 drive Impact wrech

 

[dwm]

The Craftsman Professional 4.5" vise is quite good if you need one in that size.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

The Craftsman Professional 4.5" vise is quite good if you need one in that size.

For vices you are better with other brands..........

 

[Mugenlude]

Here is a link to the vises available, sort by price high to low...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_...ars&viewItems=50&sortOption=PRICE_HIGH_TO_LOW

 

[PassnThru]

Well - Sears sells a lot more than tools. Perhaps part of a flat screen for the garage?

 

[Mugenlude]

Well - Sears sells a lot more than tools. Perhaps part of a flat screen for the garage?

Yeah, I've thought of that too, but in my mind this has been 'tool' money.

 

[jjarrell4]

I would get 12pc double box end offset wrench set, they are still USA if you bey em online. Got mine for like $60

and if you need pliers I would jump on the craftsman professionals, they are on clearence at my local sears and are a good deal.

 

[rmuell01]

I would buy a very good vise from an auction. you can get them very cheap (I know that's sad, but it might as well go to someone who will care for it).

 

[Mugenlude]

I would get 12pc double box end offset wrench set, they are still USA if you bey em online. Got mine for like $60

and if you need pliers I would jump on the craftsman professionals, they are on clearence at my local sears and are a good deal.

hmmm, this looks like only 12 pcs (metric or standard), but I don't see a place to choose one or the other, so is it 24 pieces for $80?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00946999000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[dwm]

hmmm, this looks like only 12 pcs (metric or standard), but I don't see a place to choose one or the other, so is it 24 pieces for $80?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00946999000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

5 SAE, 7 metric.

 

[jjarrell4]

hmmm, this looks like only 12 pcs (metric or standard), but I don't see a place to choose one or the other, so is it 24 pieces for $80?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00946999000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I believe it's 7metric and. 5
sae, 12 total, not 24.

And coupling the coupon cabin codes will give you 10$ off.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Buy stuff that you need or can use all the time or start a track tool box.

 

[crewchief888]

buy tools that you wouldnt normally buy, or build up a 2nd set of tools & tool box for the track.

take your wife/gf with you, and spend a few $$ on her.

trust me on this one....

it'll be to your benefit

 

[scott37300]

I don't have either of them but I have read on here about the impact sockets and 3/4" socket sets are good deals if you find them on sale.

Get whatever you don't have that you think you might need. From reading on this site I have picked up lots of tools that I will use down the road for common repairs and maintenance. Sears also has a decent amount of rebranded specialty tools that can be pretty nice. And if you are going to order online go to sears.com instead of craftsman and you can find a bunch of non craftsman tools also. They have all kinds of different brands and even do an amazon type of thing were they have other sellers listed also. Not sure if the gift cards work with these or not but it should.

 

[bart1]

Watch the sales. I bought two 30" premium Gladiator wall bases for $99 each, very nice. Also recently got a 10" Knipex Plierwrench for $38. Check thief website for a lot of Knipex, Wera, Wiha, etc. Also they usually have a lot of Channelock abd the premium ratchets mentioned above are supposed to be nice.

 

[Lightfoot]

Wait till the week before Father's day. The best sales at sears are that week. Watch for an ad in the paper or mail. Happens every year

 

[Skin]

of the things you mentioned the Craftsman Professional Torque wrenches would rank very high up there in quality. They're made by Sturtevant Richmont who caters only to the industrial/professional market. I like and recommend PI mainly because they're idiot proof and of good quality but i do believe a ST torque wrench would take daily use in a Pro environment better. The only downside is the CMan versions are not cheap and most are marked "Online Only Price" which means they dont get effected by coupons or normal discounts. They're still cheaper than the few supply houses that offer them but ST torque wrenches can be had for quite a bit less on ebay.

Also their punches/chisels are very good. Made by WF. I've got a set i've abused for years and are holding up great. Why they dont get more praise is simply, people are fixated on Mayhew who essentially dominates that market.

 

[Mugenlude]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I already have a second toolbox and tools in the trailer for the track, but ratchets and stuff I don't need.

I got some good ideas on what to get now, I'm just going to hold out a little bit for the sales to kick in, I know what I'm looking for though. =)