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Torn Between Two Tool Sets

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williyam

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Feb 18, 2013
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Hey guys,
I work on my car at times as a hobby and well...the hobby has gotten more serious now so I need a tool set.

309 Piece $250
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00941309000P

115 Piece Universal $100
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-115-...p-00932821000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I've gotten the basics:
Jack Lift
Jack Stands
Rhino Ramps
1/2" Breaker Bar
1/2" Torque Wrench
3/8" Torque Wrench

Universal Kit @$100

Pros:
Convenient and compact storage
Fits every socket

Cons:
No deep sockets :mad:
No 1/2" ratchet
Have to buy separate 1/2" sockets
No extra space in box to add tools or sockets

309 Piece @$250

Pros:
Full assortments of deep sockets (Lots of $$$ if bought separately)
Comes with 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" ratchets
Can add on tools later

Cons:
Doesn't come with case
Don't need half the sockets if they were universal






They should really make a universal 309 piece set. I'm worried that should I expand my tools, switching between the case and my toolbox while working would be annoying.

Anyway, if you were in my position:

What else would you buy as a beginner mechanic?
Which set would you pick?


BTW: the prices are marked up on the website right now
 
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sberry

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Second that, at these prices it doesnt mean much in the grand scheme, if you put a 0 behind the number then there would be a difference.
 
K

kc-steve

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willhollin said:
Get both, can never have too many tools.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I don't have experience with the Craftsman Universals, but I have never found "universal" tools to be as useful as tools made specifically for a job. It goes back to the old adage, "jack of all trades, master of none." :)

Steve
 
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creativecars

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1/2 and deep sockets are very important. You can get them now or get them later.
The way I look at it is this:
309 pc. divided by 250.00= 1.24 per tool
115 pc. divided by 100.00= 1.15 per tool
Minus the useless **** like screwdriver bits, allen wrenches, ignition wrenches and hacksaw blades. These are useful sometimes but IMO these are not worth the same as hard tools. It would be hard to find a 1/2 drive set for the 9 cents per tool difference.
 
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kc-steve

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creativecars said:
1/2 and deep sockets are very important. You can get them now or get them later.
The way I look at it is this:
309 pc. divided by 250.00= 1.24 per tool
115 pc. divided by 100.00= 1.15 per tool
Minus the useless **** like screwdriver bits, allen wrenches, ignition wrenches and hacksaw blades. These are useful sometimes but IMO these are not worth the same as hard tools. It would be hard to find a 1/2 drive set for the 9 cents per tool difference.
Click to expand...

I agree with your point but I think your math is off. :)
309 pc. divided by 250.00= should be $250 divided by 309pc to get price per tool

Steve
 
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Buckgnarly

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309 all the way, includes all the basic socket stuff everyone should have.
 
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cbus

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That 309 piece set goes on sale at 199.99 often. Sometimes even lower.
 
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dcm223

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May 20, 2011
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Get the 309 piece set. I got mine for $179 on sale with a coupon code.

I didn’t need the wrenches or ratchets that came with the set so I sold them for $100.
 
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djcslice

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I bought the 309 piece set this year. While its a nice set, there are a ton of repeating sizes and way too many 12 pt sockets. The ratcheting wrenches are nice but the reversible ones are a lot better. I would recommend finding a set that comes in a case and has a good wrench selection. I honestly grab for my max access 51pc pass through set for most of my work because it has almost everything I need and it comes in a case. Costco has a really nice craftsman box set for 100 bones and you can get a pretty good set of reversible ratcheting metric wrenches for 40 (less if you hunt for deals) putting you at 140 for a pretty awesome set.

What I have found over the years is that sockets/ratchets are just a small portion of tools you need to work on cars regularly.
 
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Gotmayhem

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CT
I bought the 309 myself for $200 awhile ago. Great set for the price, everything but the non-mini wrenches are stamped USA and warranty through sears is extremely easy. I haven't broken anything yet and I work on my car and others quite a bit. One member did have a bad experience with a wrench snapping on him though. I'd recommend buying another set of wrenches just in case, it's better to have more than one set anyways in case of an unexpected break or bend. I also swapped out the ratchets pretty quick, they weren't to my taste but I keep them around as a beater set. I'd recommend the set overall though, value wise it's very hard to find better and should get you along for a long time aside from specialty tools.
 
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Spudland_Dave

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Neither... IMO I'd run down to Lowes and get something like this instead:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_338518-22328-85183_0__?productId=3364134&Ntt=kobalt+set&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dkobalt%2Bset&facetInfo=

Sears...**** Ratchets, Shoddy Chrome, Overall I'm very dissapointed with Crapsman, I know I've sworn off all the crapsman stuff.
Lowes has the nice 72 tooth ratchets, beautiful sockets, excellent warranty, and I find the overall customer satisfaction EXCELLENT at Lowes. Sears, I used to leave there saying to myself "Why bother". They closed the local store, so I'm guessing I wasnt the only one who swore off their junk.
 
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creativecars

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Spudland_Dave said:
Neither... IMO I'd run down to Lowes and get something like this instead:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_338518-22328-85183_0__?productId=3364134&Ntt=kobalt+set&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dkobalt%2Bset&facetInfo=

Sears...**** Ratchets, Shoddy Chrome, Overall I'm very dissapointed with Crapsman, I know I've sworn off all the crapsman stuff.
Lowes has the nice 72 tooth ratchets, beautiful sockets, excellent warranty, and I find the overall customer satisfaction EXCELLENT at Lowes. Sears, I used to leave there saying to myself "Why bother". They closed the local store, so I'm guessing I wasnt the only one who swore off their junk.
Click to expand...

Tooo much ****... Allen wrenches, bits, ignition wrenches.
About 125 useful tools.
 
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Spudland_Dave

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creativecars said:
Tooo much ****... Allen wrenches, bits, ignition wrenches.
About 125 useful tools.
Click to expand...

Allen Wrenches are good to have, I've got plain L Keys, Socket Type and T Handles...love & need em all...bits are consumables around the house..and its cheaper then the Crapsman for much higher quality product AND you still have a few bucks leftover to buy a couple more sets of whatever you need/want while your in the store.

Wait for one of the $50.00 off 200 coupons and you can get a couple more assorted sets.
 
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creativecars

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Spudland_Dave said:
Allen Wrenches are good to have, I've got plain L Keys, Socket Type and T Handles...love & need em all...bits are consumables around the house..and its cheaper then the Crapsman for much higher quality product AND you still have a few bucks leftover to buy a couple more sets of whatever you need/want while your in the store.

Wait for one of the $50.00 off 200 coupons and you can get a couple more assorted sets.
Click to expand...

Im not saying bits, allens and even ignition wrenches are not useful, but they are not the same as "hard line" tools. Ratchets, sockets, wrenches ect... Tool companies, Kobalt included, use these cheap items to make tool quantities look better. Craftsman usta throw in 20 hacksaw blades in their sets for just that reason.
Just saying you have to pay attention to every set.
 
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Spudland_Dave

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creativecars said:
Im not saying bits, allens and even ignition wrenches are not useful, but they are not the same as "hard line" tools. Ratchets, sockets, wrenches ect... Tool companies, Kobalt included, use these cheap items to make tool quantities look better. Craftsman usta throw in 20 hacksaw blades in their sets for just that reason.
Just saying you have to pay attention to every set.
Click to expand...

Oh gotcha...You are very right on that.
Well that being said...why not look at smaller sets and put something together yourself...more control over what you get and little to no useless things. I've seen the 3/8" Ratchet with a bunch of sockets for 19.99 at Lowes, and theres hardly a time I've ever been in there where some tool set wasnt marked down. Grab whatever wrenches you want, whatever sockets you want, etc... and still have 200.00 invested but end up with only tools you want and or need. Not a handful of bits and hacksaw blades..:D

I missed my shot on the Kobalt Ratcheting Screwdriver set when it was marked down to 14.99...Handful of 1/4 drive Sockets, couple shanks, bits, and the ratcheting screwdriver handle.
 
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d.mcfarland

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If you car is newer and you live in the USA, not much need for SAE sockets right? Wouldn't it be cheaper to piece together what you actually need?

By the way, check out the classified section! If you need stuff, most liekly you can find something here, after all, you found a great resource for your needs.
 
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geologist

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kunkernator said:
Get this all 6 point set for $250

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-189-pc-mechanics-tool-set-with-easy/p-00935188000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

You will find that 6 point sockets come in so much more handy than 12 point. Also this set literally has no fillers (Allen wrenches, bits, etc.). I also believe it has close to, if not all 6 point sockets Craftsman makes.
Click to expand...

THIS ^^^^^

Otherwise, the 309 piece set is the winner. I'm not impressed with the "universal" stuff. I don't think it will hold up long term, and I think it has a tendency to mar contact surfaces.
 
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SlowPoke-Canada

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Spudland_Dave said:
I missed my shot on the Kobalt Ratcheting Screwdriver set when it was marked down to 14.99...Handful of 1/4 drive Sockets, couple shanks, bits, and the ratcheting screwdriver handle.
Click to expand...

After years of scroogery I've come to realize that sales happen on an almost predictable rotation. You'll have your shot again... in about 5 weeks (guessing)
 
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Spudland_Dave

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SlowPoke-Canada said:
After years of scroogery I've come to realize that sales happen on an almost predictable rotation. You'll have your shot again... in about 5 weeks (guessing)
Click to expand...

Good to know..I never really paid attention...Years of Scroogery...you just described my shopping lifestyle....sounds like we'd get along great together...as long as your a Habs fan...
The entire month of December and maybe even the 1st week of Jan, most of the Chrome Hard line tools were on sale...the other day I get the itch for one of those 72 tooth ratchets for a project of mine, full price. F-dat...so I bought what I really wanted anyways FL80.
 
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sberry

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While there is some "filler" in the 309 even a hacksaw blade cost a dollar anymore and so many of the pieces are so much higher than a dollar that there is no way any of this isnt a bargain. Even if a guy did a few jobs in te next 6 months and swept it in to the garbage he wouldnt be hurt much.
 
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Armstrong1720

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Ok not trying to change the subject but im lost why are 12 point sockets getting knocked so bad ? I have basically thrown my 6 points awayor giving mine away. i will not buy 6 points In super tight places 12 works so much easier for me and i know many that chooses 12 over 6. So whats the deal ?
 
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NoNN37

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Armstrong1720 said:
Ok not trying to change the subject but im lost why are 12 point sockets getting knocked so bad ? I have basically thrown my 6 points awayor giving mine away. i will not buy 6 points In super tight places 12 works so much easier for me and i know many that chooses 12 over 6. So whats the deal ?
Click to expand...
They(12pt) can round bolts easier, the 6 points have more contact for grabbing the head tightly. I find 6pts more annoying on wrenches, than sockets.
 
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kc-steve

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Armstrong1720 said:
Ok not trying to change the subject but im lost why are 12 point sockets getting knocked so bad ? I have basically thrown my 6 points awayor giving mine away. i will not buy 6 points In super tight places 12 works so much easier for me and i know many that chooses 12 over 6. So whats the deal ?
Click to expand...

NoNN37 said:
They(12pt) can round bolts easier, the 6 points have more contact for grabbing the head tightly. I find 6pts more annoying on wrenches, than sockets.
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to carry on this discussion that has been argued on dozens of threads, but I can't let that last post lay unopposed.

I think the reason most people "round" bolt heads with 12pt sockets is due to having cheap sockets or picking the wrong size. A 12pt socket is more versatile and can used on 4pt, 6pt, 8pt AND 12pt bolt heads and should be the foundation of any beginning tool user's toolbox. The 6pt socket can only be used with 6pt bolts.

Steve
 
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williyam

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I actually got the chance to try both out. I knew I would expand past the universal case so I went with the 309 piece; I wanted matching sets and to have my tools all in one place. Other than that, if you aren't working on heavily torqued nuts, the universal I would say is actually much better than the 309 piece IF IT CAME WITH DEEP SOCKETS AND 1/2" RATCHET.

My reason why is that the universal sockets and ratchets actually feel and look like quality pieces! If you haven't you should try comparing the regular craftsman ratchet to the universal ratchet. The craftsman makes the universal feel like a Snap On. The black on grey lettering on the sockets make it so easy to read. Overall, there aren't a lot of fillers on the universal and it really just looks great aesthetically.

Anyone else's opinion on the universal?
 
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Armstrong1720

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I agree with kc-steve i have worked on some diesels with 12 point bolts And yes i wished i had known about this site years ago because i have honestly chunked a bunch of six point sockets and would have given them to yall. Everone around here hates six points. Now back to the subject i looked up the 309 piece set. Some time or another u will need a half inch ratchet. I think 309 set is far better
 
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