what would you choose?

[silverdot1211]

At this point I am sick of not having the tools I need when I need them! Currently I am shopping for a mostly complete or complete socket/wrench set.
Attached is a picture of what I currently own for sockets (Kobalt)
Also money is not exactly flowing like water and I am just a weekend warrior. The most I do with cars is oil changes and brakes. Everything else seems to be open season (motorcycle, lawn mowers, anything home related) I also do own a mostly complete set of Cman ratcheting box wrenches (the same ones in the Cman kit)


I have set $200 as my my price but i can budge a little.

At this point these are the 3 that I am looking at:

1)Master Force 220pc set
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/hand-tools/tool-sets/masterforce-220-piece-tool-set/p-1503278-c-9169.htm

2) Kobalt 227pc set
http://www.lowes.com/pd_338518-22328-85183_0__?productId=3364134&Ntt=kobalt&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dkobalt&facetInfo=

3)Cman 309pc set
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-309-pc-mechanics-tool/p-00941309000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[rice rocket]

Big sets like the ones you posted mean you pay for a lot of stuff you'll never use. I'd go to Harbor Freight, pickup what you need. Replace what you think doesn't suffice with better stuff in the future.

 

[Tellingthem]

This Craftsman 250pc set is only $150 http://www.sears.com/250-pc-mechanics-tools-set-with-3-drawer/p-00938250000P

Not a bad starter set. Plus you'd have some cash leftover to buy some other things you might need.

 

[1950mercury]

Id save up a little more and buy some sk kits or williams usa sockets buy what u use the most of and slowly build from there

 

[JBradley500]

I'd take a look at the 204 pc Dewalt kit, too.

 

[billmanweh]

You can still find the USA made Craftsman 150 piece sets on eBay for $55-70

That's what I picked up to start, and then add pieces as I go to upgrade

 

[silverdot1211]

Id save up a little more and buy some sk kits or williams usa sockets buy what u use the most of and slowly build from there

Merc when I bought my first set of sockets(USA made lower left in pic) I planned on expanding then they sent the work to Taiwan and changed the whole design!...... Don't get me wrong I like the Taiwan stuff it feels good and has held up (chrome finish)almost better then my first set. This is going to sound dumb but I want to buy a large set and full in the missing pieces now so they ALL match and also so my OCD doesn't drive me crazy by having mix matched sets.

Rice my approach is kinda just that buy a whole set buy most of missing pieces and hopefully never run into the "oh I just need this one tool and I'm done!" I have experienced that one I many times lately and I said no more!..........well that's the idea anyway

At this point from the response I may start looking at Cman closer

Side note I thought I read somewhere here that if you are going to buy foreign tools opt for Taiwan over China did I suddenly go crazy with that thought? And if it's true what's the reason behind the idea?

 

[nicksnothereman]

I don't buy sets.

With these...you get the set that's going to be easiest to warranty. If the set is made in taiwan or usa (not sure coo on these) then probably won't use that warranty too much unless you make a mistake with the drive size vs. torque. The kobalt taiwanese stuff is nice in my opinion, don't know about sets though and won't say it's any better than any other taiwanese tools just better access for me.

The reason for the taiwan over china is because the quality control is much better, the weight is there (doesn't feel cheap or poorly made), and the carpet matches the drapes (very well built and durable). The tools are fairly consistent among all the rebrands which makes it easier to identify quality tools without using them so you know they're not half-assing the manufacture.

 

[silverdot1211]

Thanks for the input everyone!