I've got some money burning a hole in my pocket, and ever since I started working on cars I've always wanted to get a big *** Craftsman set that you used to see on the wall at Sears. I used to buy a tool every paycheck, but that's kinda gone by the wayside. I have a couple 3 drawer toolchests full of tools, but you can never have too many. Here's a link to some of them on sale: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/search.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&cat=Mechanics+Tools&displayTarget=Subcategory&subcat=Mechanics+Tool+Sets and the one that got me started on all this is this 244 pc ez to read set for $178, regularly $249, so that got my attention. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00934244000 I can spend 3 or 400 bucks at the absolute most. Any suggestions? What did you guys buy? They always like to pad the numbers by adding tons of hex wrenches and whatnot, it seems. There's just so damn many to choose from!! A good problem to have, I suppose
Im not a big fan of the ez read sets but that looks like a good deal, I got mine around Christmas and it was a 151 piece set for like 100$.
BTDT Browsed their catalog/website 'till my eyes went crossed. Look for "add-on" or "completer" sets that don't have the little junk you've already got too many of Then I went to the store and bought one that had been returned and was marked down. I definatly would get the easy-read sockets -- these old eyes have too much trouble reading little numbers, especially when a little greasy, etc. But that was before -- now it seems Kears or Smart or whoever they are is changing the replacement policy so I'm not excited about getting any more. I've been impressed with the "Kobalt" line at Lowe's but I haven't looked at any "big" sets. have fun!
Seems you take in a busted rachet they give you one that's been "rebuilt" instead of a new one. Maybe not bad, just not sure I like it.
Out here my friend works at Sears and from what he said it sounded like they rebuild your existing ratcher with a completely new dropin mechanism. And according to him they are better than the original ones. Idk if that means anything but its a thought,
make sure you dont ever use the plastic case like mine came in. You'll know its the one when you open it and 125 sockets go flying everywhere. the sockets just sit in there slots with nothing hilding em in so if you arent super carful and dont sneeze on it or fart by it they will stay in.
you're gonna hate me, but by waiting at public auctions, i have a stand up craftsman box full of tools for about 120. estate auctions are good, but my uncle's auction gets stuff when local old guys die. i got a complete tap and die set for $5 in a wooden case. best part, when a tool breaks, i get new, no questions. every once in a while i pay $20 or a snap-on 1/2 ratchet set or the like. buy used. you won't be sorry.
Found a rusted up Craftsman breaker bar in a pawn shop. Gave the guy $2 for it. Took it to Sears for a replacement. Told the guy I already had one. So he let me have the equivelent value in other tools. Frequently find Craftsman tools at yard sales, etc. that are good to go or can be replaced under warranty for a song. As for the sets, I got mine on a discontinued sale. It was mounted to peg board and they were taking it down when I was cruzing the aisles. Asked them "how much" and it was half of list. So I took it home. I use Snap On at my friends shop and they are mighty fine. But for the work I do Craftsman is just fine.
I use both Craftsman and Snap-on for my work. I lose them both equally well and other than I broke the Craftsman socket 3/8 to 1/4 adapter, been equally happy with both. I never took it in to warranty it. Should have. The ratchet wrenches are THE BOMB!!! If you dont own a set yet, get them!!!!!! They rule!
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