Went to Sears today

[bchee]

Went to sears today and they had those new 'build-your-own' sets on display. As I suspected, the plastic storage trays felt kind of cheap

The new black and gray cases have 4 empty drawers, they are not premolded for specific tools. I couldn't tell if they would accommodate the plastic storage trays.

I noticed that the packaging for the rest of the mechanics tools sets were updated too.

 

[64merc]

Went to sears today and they had those new 'build-your-own' sets on display. As I suspected, the plastic storage trays felt kind of cheap

The new black and gray cases have 4 empty drawers, they are not premolded for specific tools. I couldn't tell if they would accommodate the plastic storage trays.

I noticed that the packaging for the rest of the mechanics tools sets were updated too.

You read my mind dude. I went on Wednesday and that new packaging really caught my eye. I had my little one with me and I was by myself, so I wasn't able to really look closely at them. Are they really different sets, or are they the same tools in different packaging?

 

[myers212]

The new black and gray cases have 4 empty drawers, they are not premolded for specific tools. I couldn't tell if they would accommodate the plastic storage trays.

Yes, the drawers are designed o hold the storage trays.

 

[bchee]

I was referring to 2 different sets. The new build-a-sets are the ones in the pictures. They're basically the same tools, but come in a premolded plastic tray. I guess it fits standard craftsman drawers. They had a build-your-own brake set, wrenches, 1/4 and 1/2 socket sets. They also had a 52pc impact set for $200, which seemed like a good deal.

The other sets I'm talking about were the basic sets you've seen before, 97 piece, 154 piece, etc. etc. They had the same black plastic moulded boxes, but the cardboard packaging was different. I guess they're getting ready for Christmas.

Apparently these are called MODULES

 

[bchee]

The new black and gray cases have 4 empty drawers, they are not premolded for specific tools. I couldn't tell if they would accommodate the plastic storage trays.

Yes, the drawers are designed o hold the storage trays.

They looked bigger than the drawers, but I couldn't tell for sure. That's good to know. Do they offer some deal where you buy 4 build-a-set trays and give you the box for free?

 

[myers212]

Not sure. I saw these in the Craftsman Christmas Tool Book. On page 17 it states:

This unique tool chest has four drawers. Drawers are specially designed to fit module tray sizes up to 13-7/8 x 10-7/8 in. Pick and choose your set to take anywhere.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I was looking at those build-a-sets in the cataloge. It looks like the sets were well thought out. Looks like a good way to get the essentials without buying one of their larger sets. I was especially looking at the impact sockets because I don't have any right now. I am also looking at the sets from Gray Pneumatic. They look great too.

 

[paramudduck]

I kind of like the brake tool module. Be a nice way to keep track of that stuff.

 

[JayL]

I kind of like the brake tool module. Be a nice way to keep track of that stuff.

Me too. Who knows what Sears will do. Maybe they will do the same discounts as they did with the Snap Ring Pliers.

 

[vssjim]

I was looking at those build-a-sets in the cataloge. It looks like the sets were well thought out. Looks like a good way to get the essentials without buying one of their larger sets. I was especially looking at the impact sockets because I don't have any right now. I am also looking at the sets from Gray Pneumatic. They look great too.

I would buy the Craftsman before the Gray because the Craftsman impact stuff I have has been really tuff stuff for all the years I have used it plus a US tool to top it off, the Gray stuff is just another Taiwan importer that you will probably have to send to them to get a replacement.

 

[eschoendorff]

Modules? Like Facom?

Seems to be the same old sht in a different package.


Anything to sell tools, eh?

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I would buy the Craftsman before the Gray because the Craftsman impact stuff I have has been really tuff stuff for all the years I have used it plus a US tool to top it off, the Gray stuff is just another Taiwan importer that you will probably have to send to them to get a replacement.

Thanks for the advice. I like the Craftsman brand but was eying some of Gray's complete sets. I would rather have the Craftsman, though. Maybe GearWrench will come out with some...

 

[paramudduck]

I read the thread title and all the way through this thread I've been expecting the comment. "And did you feel dirty afterwards?"

 

[bchee]

I went to a different sears again. This one was in Mesilla Valley mall in las cruces, nm.

Billymade, is that the one you work at?

Anyway, I saw the GW rotoheads.

The comfort grips were pretty skinny. The finish was about the same as, or maybe slightly less quality than the HF rotos.

The ratcheting felt pretty smooth. The flex head hex keys were also there.

I also saw something I've never seen before, an SK item actually physically in stock at a sears.

I was not impressed at all by this ratchet.

 

[billymade]

Yes, thats where I work! Ask for me the next time your there (ask for "billy", thats actually my real name! LOL!, I guess I haven't been so creative in coming up with a third persona like "Elroy" ); I am typically, in the hardware dept; it would be a pleasure to meet a fellow garagejournal member! Those tools didn't have a "home" yet in the form of a new display but I thought I would put them out for people to access until they have a "reset" floor display! bchee, you in el paso or las cruces?
I have to admit that I wasn't terribly impressed with either the gearwrench or the sk; I guess I have become spoiled with my Snapon stuff. I guess, I need to stop comparing other brands to Snapon and just appreciate them for what they are!

 

[bchee]

I'm in el paso, remember?????????????? I was in town for the whole enchilada festival.

yeah, I didn't see any price tags on that new stuff

 

[billymade]

Yeah, I just put it "out there"; rather then put it in the back where people couldn't check it out; until we set up the new holiday seasons displays...

 

[64merc]

Cool, I've never seen any SK tools physically in stock at a Sears before either. I won't pay top dollar for them, but I still say that SK ratchets are really strong and reliable.

I handled the new Gearwrench roto head ratchets and they were pretty nice. I forgot what the price was, but I know that it was more than the cost of the HF equivalents. Honestly, in this case, I think I would go with whichever was cheapest (the HF ratchets).

 

[eschoendorff]

Cool, I've never seen any SK tools physically in stock at a Sears before either. I won't pay top dollar for them, but I still say that SK ratchets are really strong and reliable.

I handled the new Gearwrench roto head ratchets and they were pretty nice. I forgot what the price was, but I know that it was more than the cost of the HF equivalents. Honestly, in this case, I think I would go with whichever was cheapest (the HF ratchets).

At least you can now sift through all the SK tools until you find one you like!

 

[nissan_crawler]

At least you can now sift through all the SK tools until you find one you like!

I hope they have a cafe in the store, I would be there for a while.

 

[eschoendorff]

I hope they have a cafe in the store, I would be there for a while.

Remember back in the day (late 70s-early 80s) when Sears had a candy stand and a popcorn machine in the store??? For years whenever I smelled popcorn, I though about lawnmowers...

 

[a390st]

Lazarus stores used to sell a lot of tools, guns, and everything else. They always had a cafe in the store, too. That changed by the early eighties, though, and they just became another clothing, perfume, shoe, bedding, &c. department store. I remember several Sears stores that were like that back then, too.

On topic, are those plastic trays as flimsy and thin as they look?

 

[Stuey]

On topic, are those plastic trays as flimsy and thin as they look?

Plastic? Damn, I was hoping for foam.

 

[a390st]

The pictures in the OP are plastic. They look like garbage, but that may just be the picture. The picture looks like the trays things come in when they are packaged in a box with a clear front window. Maybe I'm wrong. I'm just asking.

 

[fotoflojoe]

Yeah, I just put it "out there"; rather then put it in the back where people couldn't check it out; until we set up the new holiday seasons displays...

Is Sears going to bring Knippex in-store? Or will the pliers be available online only?

 

[Stuey]

The pictures in the catalog made it look like it was foam. =(

I'd be interested in seeing if Sears brings in Knippex to retail stores as well.

 

[jim m]

Lazarus stores used to sell a lot of tools, guns, and everything else. They always had a cafe in the store, too. That changed by the early eighties, though, and they just became another clothing, perfume, shoe, bedding, &c. department store. I remember several Sears stores that were like that back then, too.

On topic, are those plastic trays as flimsy and thin as they look?

with the cheap plastic trays just take the tools out turn them over and fill them with expanding foam then use a hacksaw blade or electric knife to cut it even with the bottom of the tray firms them right up

Jim

 

[billymade]

We had some Knipex stuff for awhile and then it went on clearance; I haven't seen any come back since then. AFAIK, some of the pliers Sears sells are Knipex with the Craftsman name on them: correct me if I am wrong but they looked like the Knipex stuff that we used to have on the floor. They are on sale right now....

Craftsman 10 in. Adjustable Pliers
Sears item# 00945430000 Mfr. model# 45430
$30.74 $40.99 Save $10.25 thru 10/04/08 SALE PRICE: $30.74
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945430000P

 

[posaune]

We had some Knipex stuff for awhile and then it went on clearance; I haven't seen any come back since then. AFAIK, some of the pliers Sears sells are Knipex with the Craftsman name on them: correct me if I am wrong but they looked like the Knipex stuff that we used to have on the floor. They are on sale right now....

Craftsman 10 in. Adjustable Pliers
Sears item# 00945430000 Mfr. model# 45430
$30.74 $40.99 Save $10.25 thru 10/04/08 SALE PRICE: $30.74
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945430000P

Sears pricing confuses me. The set of two (10 and 7in) is still $26.74! They pay you to take the smaller one!

 

[bchee]

with the cheap plastic trays just take the tools out turn them over and fill them with expanding foam then use a hacksaw blade or electric knife to cut it even with the bottom of the tray firms them right up

Jim

hey, cool idea

 

[billymade]

It wouldn't be the first time the sears.com pricing structure hasn't made sense!

 

[ImportTuner]

I would buy the Craftsman before the Gray because the Craftsman impact stuff I have has been really tuff stuff for all the years I have used it plus a US tool to top it off, the Gray stuff is just another Taiwan importer that you will probably have to send to them to get a replacement.

That's what you would expect ... but ... I had a 21 mm deep Craftsman that was slightly off center so that it kinda wobbles when on your impact; took it to 5 different Sears and none had loose sockets that size. They finally had to order me one, which took 5 days ...